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NTSB Report

July 4, 1997 · Piper PA-31T · N974DC

Austin, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Austin, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T
Tail Number
N974DC
Operator
O Hare Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA253

After an uneventful 1.5 hour on-demand air taxi flight, the pilot made a wheels up landing. He reported that during the flare, he realized that the gear was not extended. He attempted to execute a 'go-around', but was too late as the right propeller contacted the runway surface. Subsequently, the left propeller contacted the runway, and the aircraft 'skipped down the runway', went through grass, and impacted a hangar.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure to follow the landing checklist.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 1997, approximately 0830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31T airplane, N974DC, owned by Ocaas L.L.C., of Amarillo, Texas, and operated by O'Hara Flying Service, of Amarillo, Texas, was substantially damaged following a wheels up landing at Austin Airpark, Austin, Texas. Both occupants, the airline transport rated pilot and passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The flight originated from Amarillo, Texas, at 0700. The pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, via NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the purpose of the flight was to transport a passenger to Austin and return to Amarillo. The revenue passenger told the pilot that he was not sure as to which airport near Austin he was supposed to land at, and that he thought it was "Austin Executive Airport." With that information, the pilot flew the aircraft to, and landed at Austin Executive without incident. After landing, the passenger told the pilot that it was the wrong airport. The pilot then took off again and was vectored to Austin Airpark. The short flight to the Airpark was flown in VMC conditions at 1,000 feet AGL. The pilot stated that during the final landing flare, he had "forgotten" to lower the landing gear. He then attempted to execute a "go-around", but was too late as the right propeller contacted the runway surface. Subsequently, the left propeller contacted the runway, and the aircraft "skipped down the runway", went through the grass, and impacted a hangar. The impact with the hangar resulted in the right wing being destroyed and the left wing sustaining structural damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 CDT
Nearest AirportAustin Airpark (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31T
Tail NumberN974DC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorO Hare Flying Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT-6A-28 · Turboprop · 630
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1800 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time08:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data