# NTSB WPR13CA021: Piper PA24, N7950P, Lake Tahoe, CA, October 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2012, 17:10 local (Oct 21, 2012, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Lake Tahoe, CA - Coordinates: 38.89389, -119.995277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8939&lon=-119.9953&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 January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85415/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85415 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA021 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was extended before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he aborted a landing due to traffic on the active runway and retracted the landing gear. He stated that on the second approach to land he carried extra power because of the gusty wind conditions, but during the landing flare, he realized that he had failed to extend the landing gear. After he realized that the landing gear was not extended, the pilot added full power; however, the airplane impacted the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position. The pilot stated that he did not follow the checklist and that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn during his approach. When informed that the throttle position to activate the landing gear warning horn was only about 1/2 inch forward of the full aft idle position, the pilot indicated that he had not retarded the throttle that far. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its undercarriage as a result of the abnormal runway contact. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he retracted the landing gear following an aborted landing due to traffic on the active runway. He stated that on his second approach he carried power due to the gusty wind condition, but during the landing flare he realized that he had failed to extend the landing gear. The pilot further said that after he realized that the landing gear was not extended he added full power; however, the airplane impacted the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position. He added that he did not follow the checklist and that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn during his approach. When informed that the throttle position to activate the landing gear warning horn was only about one-half inch beyond the full aft idle position, the pilot indicated that he had not retarded the throttle that far. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its undercarriage as a result of the abnormal runway contact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7950P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7950P), registered now, S/N 24-3187, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA24 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3187 - Airframe hours: 6172 - Engines: LYCOMING IO540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott Dineen - Registered owner: Richard L Dombrow - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2012, 10 hours before - Departed: FUL, Fullerton, CA - Destination: TVL, Lake Tahoe, CA - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: TVL, South Lake Tahoe, runway 18, 8,541 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review February 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 2,915 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,940 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: TVL ## 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 20121020024989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121020024989A), Oct 20, 2012: Piper PA-24-250, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. 10/20/12 At 1723, the pilot reported that he failed to lower landing gear and landed gear up on runway 18 at south lake tahoe (tvl). He was the only occupant… ## Other investigations on N7950P (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 FTW66F0491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0491), Jan 15, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N7950P), Montgomery, LA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85415. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381691&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Interview with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Interview%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 3, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF 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.