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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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April 17, 1987 · Piper PA-23-250 · N40395

Nantucket, MA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Nantucket, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N40395
Operator
Haverford-Covington
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC87LA123

THE PIPER PA-23-250 ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD AND OBSERVING THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT ON DURING A NIGHT INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ADDED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE WING FLAPS. THE PROCEDURE IN THE PIPER MANUAL IS TO ADD FULL POWER, RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR, AND THEN SLOWLY RETRACT THE WING FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT MADE GROUND CONTACT WITH THE LANDING GEAR STILL EXTENDED AND IT PASSED THROUGH A DRAINAGE DITCH.

Full Narrative

THE PIPER PA-23-250 ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD AND OBSERVING THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT ON DURING A NIGHT INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ADDED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE WING FLAPS. THE PROCEDURE IN THE PIPER MANUAL IS TO ADD FULL POWER, RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR, AND THEN SLOWLY RETRACT THE WING FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT MADE GROUND CONTACT WITH THE LANDING GEAR STILL EXTENDED AND IT PASSED THROUGH A DRAINAGE DITCH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:08 EDT
Nearest AirportNantucket (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length6303 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN40395
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHaverford-Covington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data