# NTSB MKC84LA006: Piper PA31-350, N62898, Chillicothe, MO, October 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1983, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Chillicothe, MO
- Coordinates: 39.790962, -93.550056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7910&lon=-93.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - disabled (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE GEAR, BUT ONLY 2 OF THE 3 WOULD INDICATE DOWN & SAFE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LEFT GEAR, SO HE CONTINUED FLYING FOR APRX 1 HR TO BURN DOWN FUEL, THEN INTENTIONALLY LANDED WITH THE GEAR UP. THE LANDING WAS MADE BEFORE DARK IN A GRASSY AREA BESIDE THE ACTIVE RWY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE UP-LOCK ASSEMBLY, ROD END BEARING ATTACHMENT BOLT FOR THE LEFT GEAR HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62898](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62898), registered now, S/N 317652157 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7652157
- Airframe hours: 1896
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cooke Sales & Service Co. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 1983
- Departed: MO86, HIGGINSVILLE, MO
- Airport: K48, Chillicothe Municipal, runway 32, 3,900 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,200 total, 8,500 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19831024057319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831024057319A), Oct 24, 1983: Piper PA31350, Chillicothe, MO, Substantial damage. Unable to extend the landing gear. Landed gear up. Uplock rod assembyl, rod end bearing attachment bolt had broken.

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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