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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 18, 1998 · Piper PA-31-350 · N66906

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N66906
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW98IA361

After departure, the crew noticed a malfunction with the landing gear transition light. They attempted to recycle the landing gear, but the transition light remained illuminated. They circled the area for approximately one hour and thirty-five minutes, but all attempts to lower the gear were unsuccessful. The crew made the decision to divert to Denver International Airport where expanded emergency ground services would be available. The crew declared an emergency, and a gear-up landing was performed. Post accident examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the landing gear sustained a hydraulic failure which was due to a ruptured hydraulic hose located in the right wheel well. The hydraulic braided steel hose had several braids broken and the rubber hose had been punctured and/or ruptured under pressure.

NTSB Probable Cause

A hydraulic failure due to a ruptured hydraulic line, preventing the extension of the nose and right main landing gear.

Full Narrative

On August 17, 1998, approximately 2105 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N66906, sustained minor damage during an emergency landing at Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado. The commercial pilot and copilot were not injured. The flight was being operated by Alliance Aviation, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 135, and an IFR flight plan had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cargo flight which originated at Perry Stokes Airport, Trinidad, Colorado, at 1805, with an intended destination of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado. According to the pilot-in-command, after departing Perry Stokes Aiprort, he and his co-pilot noticed a malfunction with the landing gear transition light. They attempted to recycle the landing gear, but the transition light remained illuminated. They notified the Colorado Springs tower and performed a fly by. The tower was able to visually verify that the left landing gear was down, and the right and nose landing gear remained in the up position. The crew circled the area for approximately one hour and thirty-five minutes, but all attempts to lower the gear by means of aerial maneuvers and emergency gear extension were unsuccessful. The crew made the decision to divert to Denver International Airport where expanded emergency ground services would be available. The crew declared an emergency, and a gear-up landing was performed. The aircraft came to rest approximately 2,500 from the threshold of runway 17L, 50 feet to the right of the centerline. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the right engine propeller blades. Post accident examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the landing gear sustained a hydraulic failure which was due to a ruptured hydraulic hose located in the right wheel well. The hydraulic braided steel hose had several braids broken and the rubber hose had been punctured and/or ruptured under pressure.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:05 MDT
Nearest AirportDenver International (0nm)
Runway17L
Runway Length12000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN66906
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data