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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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October 8, 1987 · Piper PA-24-180 · N5988P

Collegedale, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Collegedale, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-180
Tail Number
N5988P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA005

THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN WHILE THE LDG GEAR WERE EXTENDING. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN THE LDG FLARE WITH THE GEAR COMPLETELY RETRACTED, AND THAT THE GEAR BEGAN TO EXTEND WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS 3-4 FT ABOVE THE RWY. THE MAIN LDG GEAR CONTACTED THE RWY AND COLLAPSED. THE ENGINE SOUND IMMEDIATELY INCREASED TO A 'HIGH PWR LEVEL' AND THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT A HIGH CLIMB ANGLE. AT 10-12 FT AGL, THE ENGINE SOUND 'CUT SHARPLY' AND THE ACFT DROPPED BACK TO THE RWY AND SLID TO A STOP. ANOTHER WITNESS REPORTED THAT AS THE ACFT CROSSED THE RWY THRESHOLD, THE PLT WAS ADVISED VIA UNICOM TO CHECK HIS LDG GEAR. THE WITNESS OBSERVED THE LDG GEAR BEGIN TO EXTEND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

Full Narrative

THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN WHILE THE LDG GEAR WERE EXTENDING. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN THE LDG FLARE WITH THE GEAR COMPLETELY RETRACTED, AND THAT THE GEAR BEGAN TO EXTEND WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS 3-4 FT ABOVE THE RWY. THE MAIN LDG GEAR CONTACTED THE RWY AND COLLAPSED. THE ENGINE SOUND IMMEDIATELY INCREASED TO A 'HIGH PWR LEVEL' AND THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT A HIGH CLIMB ANGLE. AT 10-12 FT AGL, THE ENGINE SOUND 'CUT SHARPLY' AND THE ACFT DROPPED BACK TO THE RWY AND SLID TO A STOP. ANOTHER WITNESS REPORTED THAT AS THE ACFT CROSSED THE RWY THRESHOLD, THE PLT WAS ADVISED VIA UNICOM TO CHECK HIS LDG GEAR. THE WITNESS OBSERVED THE LDG GEAR BEGIN TO EXTEND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 EDT
Nearest AirportCollegedale Municipal (0nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length3335 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-180
Tail NumberN5988P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data