# NTSB SEA96LA045: Piper PA-24-250, N6297P, Camas, WA, January 3, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1996, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Camas, WA
- Coordinates: 45.639034, -122.369728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6390&lon=-122.3697&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 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA045

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to ensure that the landing gear was extended before landing.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FORGOT TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On January 3, 1996, at 1400 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24- 250, N6297P, was landed with the landing gear retracted at Grove Field, Camas, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight had departed from Sandy, Oregon, approximately five minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported that he forgot to extend the landing gear prior to touch down on runway 25.

The occurrence was not reported until January 10, 1996.  The damage to the airplane could not be assessed until January 25, 1996, due to limited access to the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6297P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6297P-2012-03-13), registration cancelled 2012-03-13, S/N 24-1408, built 1959 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1408
- Airframe hours: 2396
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbert L. Mehrer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1995, 5 hours before
- Departed: S48, SANDY, OR
- Airport: WA10, Grove Field, runway 25, 2,710 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °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 19960103026449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960103026449A), Jan 3, 1996: Piper PA24250, Camas, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he forgot to extend the landing gear for landing.

## Other investigations on N6297P (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR11FA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA367), Aug 3, 2011: Piper PA-24-250 (N6297P), Camas, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.
- [NTSB UNK64X2378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2378), Jun 19, 1964: Piper PA24 (N6297P), Aurora, OR, substantial damage

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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