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May 4, 2005 · Piper PA-31T · N2338V

Bismarck, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bismarck, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T
Tail Number
N2338V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05LA109

The airplane was substantially damaged during an emergency landing when the landing gear did not extend properly. The pilot noted that when he attempted to lower the landing gear on approach to the intended destination nothing happened. He elected to divert to an airport with additional capabilities and assistance available. The pilot stated that he executed the emergency gear extension procedure, however, this procedure was not successful. The left main landing gear appeared to be fully extended, the nose landing gear was in a "dragging" condition, and the right main landing gear was retracted when observed by the tower controller prior to landing. The pilot noted that the red gear unlocked indicator light was illuminated and the green landing gear down/locked indicators were not illuminated. Since no further options were available to extend the gear, the pilot executed an emergency landing. The airplane touched down on the left main wheel which did not collapse initially. The right wing subsequently dropped and contacted the runway. The pilot applied left wheel brakes, however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway pavement and came to rest in the grass. The left main landing gear collapsed and a runway light was damaged in the process. The post-accident inspection revealed that a hydraulic powerpak drain line (Piper part number 46138-00) was ruptured. The drain line was located in the nose section of the airplane, forward of the cabin pressure bulkhead. The rupture was approximately one-half inch long. Hydraulic fluid was observed in the vicinity of the line rupture. The hydraulic reservoir was empty.

NTSB Probable Cause

Rupture of the hydraulic powerpak drain line which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability to properly lower the landing gear despite the pilot's execution of the emergency extension procedures. A contributing factor was the runway light struck during the emergency landing.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2005, about 2100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31T, N2338V, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing on runway 21 (6,600 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS), Bismarck, North Dakota. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Jeffco Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, at 1630 with an intended destination of Bowman Municipal Airport (BPP), Bowman, North Dakota. In his written statement, the pilot noted that when he attempted to lower the landing gear on approach to BPP nothing happened. He elected to divert to BIS due to additional capabilities and assistance available there. The pilot stated that he executed the emergency gear extension procedure outlined in the pilot's operating handbook. However, this procedure was not successful. He reported that the nose landing gear was in a "dragging/trailing" position when observed through the engine cowling site mirror. He noted that the red gear unlocked indicator light was illuminated and the green landing gear down/locked indicators were not illuminated. The pilot noted that the BIS tower controller informed him that the left main landing gear appeared to be fully extended, the nose landing gear was in a "dragging" condition, and the right main landing gear was retracted. Since no further options were available to extend the gear, the pilot prepared for and executed an emergency landing. He noted that the airplane touched down on the left main wheel which did not collapse initially. The right wing subsequently dropped and contacted the runway. The pilot reported that he applied the left wheel brakes, however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway pavement and came to rest in the grass. The left main landing gear collapsed and a runway light was damaged in the process. The post-accident inspection revealed that a hydraulic powerpak drain line (Piper part number 46138-00) was ruptured. The drain line was located in the nose section of the airplane, forward of the cabin pressure bulkhead. The rupture was approximately one-half inch long. Hydraulic fluid was observed in the vicinity of the line rupture. The hydraulic reservoir was empty.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CDT
Nearest AirportBismarck Muni (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length6600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31T
Tail NumberN2338V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 620 | Pratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 620
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data