# NTSB WPR13CA316: Piper PA-44-180, N436PA, Casa Grande, AZ, July 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2013, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Casa Grande, AZ - Coordinates: 32.955276, -111.766113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9553&lon=-111.7661&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 87420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87420/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87420 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA316 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's and the flight examiner's distracted attention. ## 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-44-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Designated examiner (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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-44-180, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a multi-engine check ride, the check pilot (examiner) simulated an engine failure. When the throttle was retarded, the landing gear unsafe warning horn came on and it sounded throughout the remainder of the flight. The pilot performed a simulated single engine approach and decided to delay extending the landing gear until the airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern. While turning to the base leg, he was distracted by calls from other traffic and failed to extend the landing gear. The examiner also reported concentrating her attention on the other traffic. The airplane touched down with the gear up and it slid about 1,400 feet before coming to a stop. The airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a multi-engine check ride, the check pilot (examiner) simulated an engine failure. When the throttle was retarded, the landing gear unsafe warning horn came on and it sounded throughout the remainder of the flight. The pilot performed a simulated single engine approach and decided to delay extending the landing gear until the airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern. While turning to the base leg, he was distracted by calls from other traffic and failed to extend the landing gear. The examiner also reported concentrating her attention on the other traffic. The airplane touched down with the gear up and it slid about 1,400 feet before coming to a stop. The airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N436PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N436PA), registered now, S/N 4496079, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4496079 - Airframe hours: 7048 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming LO-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bird Acquisition LLC, doing business as TransPac Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Bird Acquisition LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 26, 2013 - Departed: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Airport: CGZ, Casa Grande Municipal, runway 05, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 233 total, 27 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 59 °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 20130705012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130705012089A), Jul 5, 2013: Piper PA-44-180, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. While performing a simulated engine failure. The pilot was looking for traffic during final approach to runway 5 in Casa Grande, AZ regional airport. The gear… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87420. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 899 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Examiner's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examiner%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Operator's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397894&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%27s%20Statement-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.