# NTSB WPR09CA120: Piper PA-24-260, N8816P, Lincoln, CA, February 20, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 19, 2009, 20:10 local (Feb 20, 2009, 04:10 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, CA - Coordinates: 38.909168, -121.351387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9092&lon=-121.3514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention due to an open door and the airport's pilot activated runway lights turning off. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during departure on a local night flight, the airplane's door popped open. He turned to downwind and attempted to close the door. While on downwind, the airport's pilot activated runway lights turned off. The pilot then had to reactivate the runway lights and he landed the airplane without extending the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane caught fire and was consumed. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during departure on a local night flight, the airplane's door popped open. He turned to downwind and attempted to close the door. While on downwind, the airport's pilot activated runway lights turned off. The pilot then had to reactivate the runway lights and he landed the airplane without extending the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane caught fire and was consumed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8816P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8816P-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 24-4272, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 24-4272 - Airframe hours: 6247 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008 - Departed: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Destination: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Airport: LHM, Lincoln Regional Airport, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,164 total, 625 in this make and model, 1,027 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: MYV, 15 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 20090220008669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090220008669A), Feb 20, 2009: Piper PA24260, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was practicing landings at Lincoln airport. On one approach, while downwind, cabin door opened. Pilot was distracted while attempting to close the… ## Other investigations on N8816P (1) 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 LAX68F0067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0067), Jul 1, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N8816P), Sedona, AZ, 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. --- 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.