# NTSB MKC85LA138: Piper PA-30, N7012Y, Manhattan, KS, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 13:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place: Manhattan, KS
- Coordinates: 39.190055, -96.590217 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1901&lon=-96.5902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA138

## 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
  - gear extension - selected, pilot in command
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE PUT THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH TO THE DOWN POSITION AND THOUGHT THAT HE OBSERVED A GREEN, DOWN ANDLOCKED INDICATOR LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE ACFT LANDED WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LANDING GEAR SWITCH WAS DOWN AND THE GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS TRIPPED. THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM WAS ALSO FUNCTIONALLY TESTED. DURING THE FIRST RETRACTION THE GEAR MOTOR CB TRIPPED. AFTER THE CB WAS RESET THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONED PROPERLY THROUGH SEVERAL CYCLES. THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS AND HORN ALSO WORKED PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7012Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7012Y), registered now, S/N 30-13, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-13
- Airframe hours: 4076
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vandenberg Afb Flying Club
- Registered owner: Frank R. Elder, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1984, 71 hours before
- Departed: ACT, WACO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MHK, Manhattan, runway 21, 7,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 19 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHK

## 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 19850623044139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623044139A), Jun 23, 1985: Piper PA30, Manhattan, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to check position of gear after putting gear switch down. Landed gear up. Gear motor cb had tripped.

## Other investigations on N7012Y (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 MIA70D0169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0169), Aug 10, 1969: Piper PA-30 (N7012Y), Alexander Cty, AL, 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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