# NTSB MKC84LA031: Piper PA-31-350, N600TS, Waterloo, IA, November 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1983, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Waterloo, IA
- Location: 42.5584° N, 92.4010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WATERLOO RGNL (ALO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5584&lon=-92.4010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FOR AN FAA PART 135 CHECK RIDE, THE AIRCREW WERE UNABLE TO GET A POSITIVE UP INDICATION FOR THE LANDING GEAR. THE GEAR WAS RECYCLED & THEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WOULD NOT GET A DOWN & LOCKED INDICATION. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WERE TO NO AVAIL. AFTER THE FUEL LOAD WAS REDUCED, A WHEELS UP LANDING WAS MADE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE GEAR EXTENSION/RETRACTION SYSTEM.

## 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 PA-31-350
- 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: 10238
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Central Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1983, 112 hours before
- Departed: DBQ, DUBUQUE, IA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ALO, Waterloo Municipal, runway 18, 5,401 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,505 total, 815 in this make and model, 4,240 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALO, 90 nm away

## 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 19831128059089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831128059089A), Nov 28, 1983: Piper PA31350, Waterloo, IA, Substantial damage. Unable to extend jammed left main gear. Landed gear up. Mechanical malfunction in gear retract system.

## 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 MKC83IA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83IA042), Dec 21, 1982: Piper PA31-350 (N600TS), Waterloo, IA, incident, minor 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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