# NTSB WPR13LA237: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8197W, Chandler, AZ, May 19, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2013, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.26889, -111.811111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2689&lon=-111.8111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86943/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86943 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA237 ## Probable cause The failure of the alternator and/or battery, which prevented the operation of the landing gear extension system and resulted in the nose landing gear collapsing during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: aC generator-alternator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 1 hour 10 minutes into the flight, the airplane began experiencing alternator and battery problems. The radios were inoperative because there was no electrical power, so he diverted from an airport with an air traffic control tower to an airport without one. He selected the landing gear lever to extend the gear normally. He also operated the emergency landing gear extension system. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear (NLG) collapsed, the airplane departed the runway, and the right wing leading edge and aileron sustained substantial damage. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, a check of the alternator found no field and no output voltage. The battery was charged to 12 volts, and it subsequently discharged to 10 volts with no load over 1 hour. The airplane was equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear, which was hydraulically operated by an electrically powered reversible pump; the loss of electrical power prevented the hydraulic pump from actuating, which prevented the landing gear from extending normally. However, operation of the emergency extension system allowed the landing gear to free-fall, and two springs were provided to assist the NLG to the down position. During postaccident testing with battery power, the landing gear operated normally during both normal operation and emergency extension; the failure of the NLG to lock could not be duplicated. The landing gear positions were indicated by three green lights located above the selector lever for the gear down-and-locked position. However, these lights would not have been operable due to the total electrical failure, and, therefore, the pilot had no means to verify that all three landing gear were not down and locked before touchdown. ## Factual narrative Postaccident Examination A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector oversaw a postaccident examination of the airplane. The landing gear operated normally, in normal operations and emergency extension. Maintenance personnel could not duplicate a failure of the nose landing gear to extend down and lock. A check of the alternator found no field and no output voltage. The battery was then charged to 12 volts, and found to discharge to 10 volts with no load over 1 hour. Landing Gear System The PA-32R-301/301T is equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear, which is hydraulically operated by an electrically powered reversible pump. A selector handle on the instrument panel to the left of the control quadrant is used to select gear up or down positions. Each landing gear is retracted and extended by a single hydraulic cylinder attached to the drag link assembly of the nose gear, and the side brace link assemblies of each main gear. Each main gear is held in its up position by hydraulic pressure within each cylinder. There are no uplocks in the system, and loss of hydraulic pressure will allow the gears to drop. When the pilot initiates emergency extension by operating a push-pull cable knob between the two pilot's seats, this allows the landing gear to free-fall. The nose gear has two springs (one inside the other) to assist the nose gear to the down position. The landing gear positions are indicated by three green lights located above the selector lever for the gear down and locked position. These lights will not operate with a total electrical failure. On May 19, 2013, about 1245 mountain standard time, a Piper PA32R-301T, N8197W, had the nose landing gear collapse during landing at Stellar Airpark, Chandler, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to an aileron. The cross-country personal flight departed Brown, Field, San Diego, California, with a planned destination of Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa, Arizona. Visual meteorological (VMC) conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he observed the airplane's gauges while en route, and all systems appeared to be functioning normally. The amp meter showed the alternator appeared to be charging. About 1 hour 10 minutes into the flight, he noticed that the amp meter was at zero. A few minutes later, he heard static in the radios; he shut off all electrical systems to preserve battery power. About 40 miles from Williams Gateway Airport, he turned on his radio to contact the air traffic control tower, but all electrical power was depleted, and he could not establish contact. He elected to divert to Stellar Airpark, which did not have a control tower. The pilot made a straight in approach to runway 35, lowered the landing gear normally, and operated the emergency landinggear extension system. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear without incident; as the nose came down, he noted that the propeller made ground contact. He raised the nose as long as possible, but with the nose gear collapsed, he could not control the airplane once the nose contacted the ground. The airplane departed the runway surface into the grass; the right wing leading edge and aileron sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8197W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8197W), registered now, S/N 32R-8029050, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (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: 32R-8029050 - Airframe hours: 3773 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Huish Dale A - Registered owner: Huish Dale A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2012 - Departed: SDM, San Diego, CA - Destination: IWA, Mesa, AZ - Airport: P19, Stellar Airpark, runway 35, 3,913 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 6, 2011; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 382 total, 323 in this make and model, 382 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KCHD, 9 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 20130519008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130519008699A), May 19, 2013: Piper PA-32R-301T, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. On 5/19/2013 at 1330, a Piper PA-32R, N8197W, experienced a mechanical irregularity while en-route from brown field san diego California to phoenix ?mesa… ## Other investigations on N8197W (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 NYC00LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA158), Jun 12, 2000: Piper PA-32R-301T (N8197W), Wauseon, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86943. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Exam Results (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Exam%20Results-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.