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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 17, 1993 · Piper PA-39 · N8975Y

Thermal, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Thermal, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-39
Tail Number
N8975Y
Operator
Proflight
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA291

The pilot was taking a multi engine class certification check ride. The pilot examiner stated that the applicant pilot had been flying a Piper PA23-160 for his multi engine training. The PA23 cockpit is set up with the landing gear selector handle on the right side of the power quadrant and the flap selector on the left. The PA23 was in the maintenance shop and the applicant was given the Piper PA39 for his flight test. The PA39 cockpit is set up with the landing gear selector handle on the left side of the power quadrant and the flap selector on the right. The examiner stated that during the traffic pattern he personally checked that the landing gear handle was in the DOWN position, with three green indicator lights. The aircraft made a normal landing. The examiner said that during the landing roll out his attention was distracted momentarily by locating the radio microphone. When he looked up again, the examiner saw the aircraft settling down on the runway with the landing gear selector handle in the UP position. According to the pilot's statement, he said that he was reaching for the flap handle to retract the landing flaps and mistakenly moved the gear handle instead.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent movement of the landing gear selector switch to the up position. A factor in the accident was the difference in cockpit switch layout between the PA23 and PA39 aircraft.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 1993, at 1945 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA39, N8975Y, sustained a complete landing gear collapse on the landing roll out at Thermal, California. The pilot, who was under going a multi engine land airplane class rating check ride, had intended to retract the flaps, however, moved the landing gear selector handle to the UP position instead. The aircraft was operated by Proflight, Inc., of Las Vegas, Nevada, and was rented by the pilot for the instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the designated pilot examiner were not injured. The flight originated at the Palm Springs, California, airport on the day of the mishap at about 1830 as a local area pilot certification check ride. In a telephone interview, the pilot examiner stated that the applicant pilot had been flying a Piper PA23-160 for his multi engine training. The PA23 cockpit is set up with the landing gear selector handle on the right side of the power quadrant and the flap selector on the left. The PA23 was in the maintenance shop and the applicant was given the Piper PA39 for his flight test. The PA39 cockpit is set up with the landing gear selector handle on the left side of the power quadrant and the flap selector on the right. The examiner stated that during the traffic pattern he personally checked that the landing gear handle was in the DOWN position, with three green indicator lights. The aircraft made a normal landing. The examiner said his attention was distracted momentarily by locating the radio microphone, and, when he looked up again, the aircraft was settling down on the runway with the landing gear selector handle in the UP position. According to the pilot's statement, he said that he was reaching for the flap handle to retract the landing flaps and mistakenly moved the gear handle instead.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 PDT
Nearest AirportTHERMAL (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length4993 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-39
Tail NumberN8975Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorProflight
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-C1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data