# NTSB MKC88LA016: Piper PA-30, N7277Y, Leavenworth, KS, November 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1987, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Leavenworth, KS
- Coordinates: 39.320648, -94.92089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3206&lon=-94.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - gear retraction - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS, THE PIC INADVERTENTLY PUT THE GEAR SWITCH IN THE RETRACT CYCLE WHILE ROLLING OUT. THE GEAR BEGAN ITS RETRACTION CYCLE WITH THE ACFT STILL ON THE RWY, DAMAGING THE RETRACTION SYSTEM. THE PLT ELECTED TO TKOF, BUT ONCE AIRBORNE, WAS UNABLE TO CYCLE THE GEAR IN EITHER DIRECTION. A LANDING WAS MADE WITH THE GEAR IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION. THE GEAR COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7277Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7277Y), registered now, S/N 30-315, built 1964 (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: 30-315
- Airframe hours: 3941
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Burton W. Pacey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1987, 2 hours before
- Airport: FLV, Sherman Aaf, runway 33, 5,905 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,650 total, 2,350 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19871108081149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871108081149A), Nov 8, 1987: Piper PA30, Leavenworth, KS, Substantial damage. Raised gear on takeoff before aircraft became airborne. Gear damaged. Landed with gear stuck in transit mode.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.