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NTSB Report
August 23, 1989 · Piper PA-44-180 · N8517D
St Augustine, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
St Augustine, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-44-180
Tail Number
N8517D
Operator
First Coast Flight Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA230
BOTH THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED TO THE DOWN & LOCKED PSN WHILE THE ACFT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. ALSO, A PLT IN ANOTHER ACFT BEHIND THE PA-44 NOTED THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED. HOWEVER,AS THE ACFT WAS LANDED, IT SETTLED TO THE RWY & SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. THE CFI RPRTD THERE WAS NO WARNING HORN OR LIGHTS DURING THE APCH. AFTER THE ACFT WAS RAISED FROM THE RWY, THE WARNING HORN OPERATED NORMALLY. ALSO, THE GEAR OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A RETRACTION TEST.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADVERTENT RETRACTION OF THE LANDING GEAR, AND THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
BOTH THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED TO THE DOWN & LOCKED PSN WHILE THE ACFT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. ALSO, A PLT IN ANOTHER ACFT BEHIND THE PA-44 NOTED THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED. HOWEVER,AS THE ACFT WAS LANDED, IT SETTLED TO THE RWY & SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. THE CFI RPRTD THERE WAS NO WARNING HORN OR LIGHTS DURING THE APCH. AFTER THE ACFT WAS RAISED FROM THE RWY, THE WARNING HORN OPERATED NORMALLY. ALSO, THE GEAR OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A RETRACTION TEST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 EDT
Nearest AirportSt Augustine (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length6947 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-44-180
Tail NumberN8517D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFirst Coast Flight Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · L/O-360-E1A6D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC