# NTSB MKC86LA119: Piper PA-34-200T, N1581X, Olathe, KS, May 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1986, 07:27 local (12:27 UTC)
- Place: Olathe, KS
- Coordinates: 38.879165, -94.810829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8792&lon=-94.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,gear lever - not switched
  - landing gear,main gear - unlocked
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF ROLL FM JOHNSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, THE PIC STATED THAT THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RWY AND VEERED OFF INTO SOFT TERRAIN. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT WHEN ELECTRICAL POWER WAS INITIATED AND THE GEAR SWITCH WAS IN THE DOWN POSN, THE GEAR RETRACTED. REPEATED ATTEMPTS AFTER THE FIRST TEST COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS SITUATION. THE PIC STATED THAT JUST BEFORE ROTATION THE GEAR COLLASPED. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE SQUAT SWITCH WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE PIC STATED THERE WERE ONLY NORMAL GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATIONS IN THE COCKPIT PRIOR TO MAIN GEAR COLLAPSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1581X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1581X-2010-10-19), registration cancelled 2010-10-19, S/N 34-7570299, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7570299
- Airframe hours: 950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Armstrong Aviation Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1986
- Departed: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Destination: H33, IOLA, KS
- Airport: OJC, Johnson County Executive, runway 35, 4,099 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,602 total, 902 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Observed at: OJC

## 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 19860528046369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860528046369A), May 28, 1986: Piper PA34200T, Olathe, KS, Substantial damage. Indicates pilot retracted the landing gear by mistake just prior to liftoff. Off the squat switches gear retracted.

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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