# NTSB SEA92LA128: Piper PA-31-350, Seattle, WA, June 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1992, 15:18 local (22:18 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.440864, -122.28096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4409&lon=-122.2810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE FLIGHT ENTERED THE AIRPORT AREA, THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO HOLD. WHILE THE FLIGHT WAS HOLDING, THE PILOT COMPLETED THE PRE-LANDING CHECKLIST, EXCEPT FOR EXTENDING THE LANDING GEAR. WHEN THE PILOT WAS GIVEN LANDING INSTRUCTIONS, THE FLIGHT WAS VECTORED TO ENTER THE BASE LEG. AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES OUT, THE PILOT MADE A CALL TO COMPANY GROUND PERSONNEL TO INFORM THEM THAT HE WOULD BE A LITTLE LATE. THE FLIGHT WAS THEN CLEARED TO LAND. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL ON FINAL APPROACH UNTIL, DURING THE FLARE, THE POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE. WHEN THE POWER WAS REDUCED, THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE AIRPLANE THEN LANDED GEAR UP AND SLID APPROXIMATELY 750 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PILOT STATED THAT NORMALLY THE LANDING GEAR IS EXTENDED AT THE FIVE MILE POINT; HOWEVER, ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE FELT THAT THE CALL TO THE GROUND PERSONNEL DISTRACTED HIM FROM THE NORMAL PROCEDURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGRJA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 5700
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Juan Air
- Registered owner: Juan Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 14, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: CYYJ, VICTORIA, BC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SEA, Seattle, runway 34, 11,900 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,170 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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