# NTSB MKC83IA042: Piper PA31-350, N600TS, Waterloo, IA, December 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1982, 10:23 local (16:23 UTC)
- Place: Waterloo, IA
- Coordinates: 42.48965, -92.350418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4896&lon=-92.3504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83IA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83IA042

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - previous damage (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO LANDING N600TS REPORTEDLY HAD AN UNSAFE NOSE GEAR DOWN INDICATION. AT LANDING TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION HOWEVER THE BEARING ENDS, P/N 452-412, SHOWED  EVIDENCE OF OVERLOAD FAILURE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A FAR 91 POSITIONING FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N600TS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N600TS-2025-08-20), registration cancelled 2025-08-20, S/N 31-7305047, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7305047
- Airframe hours: 8482
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: American Central Airlines
- Registered owner: American Central Airlines
- Departed: C, MARSHFIELD, WI
- Destination: C, WATERLOO, IA
- Airport: ALO, Waterloo Muni, runway 12, 8,401 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 15° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19821221068659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821221068659I), Dec 21, 1982: Piper PA31350, Waterloo, IA, Minor damage. Unsafe nose gear indication. Nose gear collapsed on landing. Fractures in down lock rod bearings from overload.

## Other investigations on N600TS (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC84LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA031), Nov 28, 1983: Piper PA-31-350 (N600TS), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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