# NTSB NYC84LA062: Piper PA-23-250, N14360, West Mifflin, PA, December 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1983, 23:56 local (Dec 29, 1983, 04:56 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.359786, -79.900276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3598&lon=-79.9003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - contamination (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - contamination (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - unlocked (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE COCKPIT PREFLIGHT THE PLT NOTICED AN UNSAFE NOSE GEAR INDICATION. THE PLT CHECKED THE NOSE GEAR & COULD SEE NOTHING UNUSUAL, & CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY INDICATING SYSTEM. DURING ROTATION THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THIS ACFT SLID DOWN THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT WAS PLACED ON JACKS & NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM WAS FOUND. HOWEVER, THE NOSE GEAR LEG, BRACES, & LOCKING MECHANISM WAS FOUND HEAVILY COATED WITH GREASE & SAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14360](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14360-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 27-7304945, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7304945
- Airframe hours: 7365
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Columbus Air Transport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1983
- Destination: BURKE LAKEFRONT, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny County, runway 28, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,941 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,691 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831228064919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831228064919A), Dec 28, 1983: Piper PA23250, West Mifflin, PA, Substantial damage. During preflight pilot got a faulty gear indication; decided to attempt flight resulting in nose gear collapse.

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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