# NTSB MKC87LA056: Piper PA-24-250, N5553P, Kimball, NE, March 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1987, 19:25 local (Mar 6, 1987, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Kimball, NE
- Coordinates: 41.230094, -103.650337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2301&lon=-103.6503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - overload
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PIC RPTD LANDING RWY 10 WITH A WND FM 080 AT 7 KTS. THE ACFT BEGAN VEERING LEFT AND RAN THROUGH A SNOW BANK WHICH BORDERED THE RWY. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SPUN AROUND 180 DEG STOPPING TAIL FIRST. INSP OF THE LANDING GEAR NOTED AN OVERLOAD OF THE GEAR LOCKING MECHANISM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5553P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5553P-1989-10-12), registration cancelled 1989-10-12, S/N 24617 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-617
- Airframe hours: 3944
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald J. Gerner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1986
- Departed: KIMALL, NE
- Airport: IBM, Kimball Muni, runway 10, 6,200 × 75 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 999 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFF, 40 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 19870305004549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870305004549A), Mar 5, 1987: Piper PA24250, Kimball, NE, Substantial damage. Sideload on gear during landing rollout caused downlock mechanism to fail. Right main gear collapsed.

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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