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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 25, 2003 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5406P

Kutztown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 25, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kutztown, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5406P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04LA086

During the rollout after landing, the pilot turned off the landing lights, turned off the fuel pump, and after raising the flaps, the landing gear retracted and the airplane settled on to the ground. The pilot did not recall if he raised the landing gear selector lever, and did not check its position after the accident. After the accident, the pilot had the airplane removed from the runway and placed into a hangar, where it was discovered about 3 months later by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducting routine surveillance at the airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent retraction of the landing gear on the ground.

Full Narrative

On November 25, 2003, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N5406P, was substantially damaged while landing at the Kutztown Airport (N31), Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, after landing on runway 28, a 2,221-foot long asphalt runway, during the rollout, he turned off the landing lights, turned off the fuel pump, and after raising the flaps, the landing gear retracted and the airplane settled on to the ground. The pilot did not recall if he raised the landing gear selector lever, and did not check its position after the accident. After the accident, the pilot had the airplane removed from the runway and placed into a hangar, where it was discovered about 3 months later by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducting routine surveillance at the airport. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest AirportKutztown Airport (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length2485 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5406P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data