# NTSB MKC85LA056: Piper PA-31, N27743, Bentonville, AR, February 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1985, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Bentonville, AR
- Coordinates: 36.359813, -94.200103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3598&lon=-94.2001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA056

## 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
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE PLT STATED, HE PROBABLY FORGOT TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE LANDING GEAR EXTENSION OR RETRACTION MECHANISM. A TEST OF THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM SHOWED IT TO WORK PROPERLY. AN INSPECTION OF THE GEAR SHOWED IT TO BE IN THE UP AND LOCKED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N27743 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317812112
- Airframe hours: 5114
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walmart Stores Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1984, 208 hours before
- Departed: PBF, PINE BLUFF, AR
- Destination: H00, BENTONVILLE, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HOO, Bentonville Muni, runway 17, 4,090 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,900 total, 150 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV

## 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 19850208002559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850208002559A), Feb 8, 1985: Piper PA31, Bentonville, AR, Substantial damage. Pilot forgot to extend gear for landing. Descended until metal scraping was heard and landed gear up.

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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