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NTSB Report

September 27, 2000 · Piper PA-31-350 · N159SW

Grand Junction, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 27, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N159SW
Operator
Western Aviators
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN01LA005

The on-demand cargo flight had been uneventful until the pilot made his landing approach. When he lowered the landing gear, the right main landing gear failed to extend and lock. A low pass was made and tower personnel confirmed that the landing gear was not extended. The pilot followed emergency procedures in an attempt to extend the landing gear, but to no avail. He made an intentional gear up landing. Postaccident examination disclosed that the right forward inboard landing gear door hinge pin (p/n 46652-2) had broken, preventing the landing gear from extending.

NTSB Probable Cause

Total failure of the right forward inboard landing gear door hinge pin for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On September 27, 2000, at 0959 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N159SW, operated by Western Aviators Inc., was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Walker Field, Grand Junction, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the cargo flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The flight originated at Rifle, Colorado, at approximately 0905. According to the pilot's accident report, the cargo flight originated from Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado, and the flight to Rifle was uneventful. As he made his landing approach to Walker Field in Grand Junction, the right main landing gear failed to extend and lock. A low pass was made and tower personnel confirmed that the landing gear was not extended. The pilot followed emergency procedures in an attempt to extend the landing gear, but to no avail. He made an intentional gear up landing on runway 04 as emergency equipment stood by. Postaccident examination disclosed that the right forward inboard landing gear door hinge pin (p/n 46652-2) had broken, preventing the landing gear from extending. Although the pilot reported only minor damage to the airplane, insurance repair estimates indicate substantial damage had been incurred since several bulkheads and formers had to be replaced.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:59 MDT
Nearest AirportWalker Field (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length5502 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN159SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestern Aviators
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data