# NTSB WPR15CA115: Piper PA 28R-201, N963WW, Phoenix, AZ, February 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 24, 2015, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.68861, -112.081947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6886&lon=-112.0819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 21, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90785/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90785 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA115 ## Probable cause The pilot under instruction's inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during the landing rollout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear selector](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102816), [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-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to both the flight instructor and the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI), during the landing rollout, the PUI inadvertently retracted the landing gear. The landing gear handle was immediately selected to down; however, they felt the airplane sink to the left. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing, stabilator, and empennage. Both pilots reported no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to both the flight instructor and the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI), during the landing rollout, the PUI inadvertently retracted the landing gear. The landing gear handle was immediately selected to down; however, they felt the airplane sink to the left. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing, stabilator, and empennage. Both pilots reported no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N963WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N963WW), registered now, S/N 2844023, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2844023 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 8547.6 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Westwind School of Aeronautics - Registered owner: Westwind Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 2014 - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: DVT, Phoenix Deer Valley, runway 25R, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 355.8 total, 35.9 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 200.6 total, 16.2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DVT ## 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 20150224005009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150224005009A), Feb 24, 2015: Piper PA-28R-201, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Students were performing touch and go landings. On this landing, at approximately 08:47 MST, the subjects touched down and on the powerup to take off, the… ## Other investigations on N963WW (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 WPR12LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA247), May 29, 2012: Piper PA28R (N963WW), Peoria, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. - [NTSB SEA08CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA097), Mar 28, 2008: Piper PA-28R-201 (N963WW), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90785. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.