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May 2, 1993 · Piper PA-28RT-201 PA-28RT-20 · N81529

Willimantic, CT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Willimantic, CT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201 PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N81529
Operator
Windham Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA067

WHILE IN CRUISE DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE LOST TOTAL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED TO ITS PLANNED DESTINATION. WHILE IN THE PATTERN, THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AT 95 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED INTO A CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS TORN AWAY FROM THE RIGHT WING STRUCTURE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A BATTERY WIRE LEADING TO THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE LANDING GEAR WAS TESTED WITH NO ANOMALIES NOTED. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY GEAR LEVER MUST BE HELD IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION FOR EMERGENCY EXTENSION. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK ALSO STATED THAT AN AIRSPEED OF 87 KNOTS SHOULD BE ATTAINED BEFORE TRYING TO EXTEND THE GEAR DURING AN EMERGENCY EXTENSION.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT THE GEAR WAS LOCKED. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THE CONSTRUCTION SITE LOCATED BESIDE THE RUNWAY.

Full Narrative

WHILE IN CRUISE DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE LOST TOTAL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED TO ITS PLANNED DESTINATION. WHILE IN THE PATTERN, THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AT 95 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED INTO A CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS TORN AWAY FROM THE RIGHT WING STRUCTURE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A BATTERY WIRE LEADING TO THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE LANDING GEAR WAS TESTED WITH NO ANOMALIES NOTED. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY GEAR LEVER MUST BE HELD IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION FOR EMERGENCY EXTENSION. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK ALSO STATED THAT AN AIRSPEED OF 87 KNOTS SHOULD BE ATTAINED BEFORE TRYING TO EXTEND THE GEAR DURING AN EMERGENCY EXTENSION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest AirportWindham Airport (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2797 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201 PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN81529
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWindham Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data