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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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December 16, 1985 · Piper PA-31T · N4445K

Spartanburg, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 16, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Spartanburg, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T
Tail Number
N4445K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA043

DURING LANDING ROLL THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE LANDING GEAR IN THE DOWN POSITION WHILE THE ACFT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. A LANDING GEAR EXTENSION AND RETRACTION TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE SYSTEM OPERATED NORMALLY. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Full Narrative

DURING LANDING ROLL THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE LANDING GEAR IN THE DOWN POSITION WHILE THE ACFT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. A LANDING GEAR EXTENSION AND RETRACTION TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE SYSTEM OPERATED NORMALLY. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EST
Nearest AirportSpartanbugh Mem (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5203 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31T
Tail NumberN4445K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 620
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 11 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data