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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 7, 2006 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N70SR

Alabaster, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Alabaster, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N70SR
Operator
Milton Perry Sheppard
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL07LA004

The pilot stated that he was practicing in preparation for his commercial pilot certificate. On the initial takeoff, after raising the gear, the pilot noticed the gear in-transit light remained on. The pilot pulled the landing gear pump circuit breaker. When he reset the breaker, he did not see a movement on the amp meter. He said this was an indication that the pump was not running. Although the in-transit light remained on, the pilot stated that the gear was up and locked. The pilot continued on to the practice area to do some air work, then he returned to the airport to do some touch-and-go landings. The pilot stated that on the first landing the gear went down normally and he had three green lights. On the takeoff he said the gear would not go up and lock. He cycled the gear handle several times. The pilot stated he had three green lights and the gear in-transit light was still on. The pilot stated the light was on for the entire flight. He said that he made a normal touchdown, and the right main gear collapsed veering the airplane to the right, off the runway. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found the nose and right main landing gear collapsed and structural damage to the wing ribs at the right main landing gear attach point. The airplane was placed in a hangar and jacked up for a retraction test. The gear handle was placed in the up position and the gear raised normally and the in-transit light was not on when the gear was up and locked. When the gear handle was placed in the down position the hydraulic pump operated but the gear did not extend. The landing gear remained up and locked. Striking the pump with a hammer freed the shuttle valve and the gear operated normally. According to the FAA Inspector the gear would not extend normally without striking the shuttle valve with a hammer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The jammed landing gear hydraulic motor shuttle valve.

Full Narrative

On October 7, 2006, at 1300 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N70SR, registered to Shelby Air LLC, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collapsed the right main landing gear during landing on runway 15 at the Shelby County Airport, in Alabaster, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Shelby County Airport on October 7, 2006, at 1200. The pilot stated that he was practicing in preparation for his commercial pilot certificate. On the initial takeoff, after raising the gear, the pilot noticed the gear in-transit light remained on. The pilot pulled the landing gear pump circuit breaker. When he reset the breaker, he did not see a movement on the amp meter. He said this was an indication that the pump was not running. Although the in-transit light remained on, the pilot stated that the gear was up and locked. The pilot continued on to the practice area to do some air work, then he returned to the airport to do some touch-and-go landings. The pilot stated that on the first landing the gear went down normally and he had three green lights. On the take off he said the gear would not go up and lock. He cycled the gear handle several times. The pilot stated he had three green lights and the gear in-transit light was still on. The pilot stated the light was on for the entire flight. He said that he made a normal touch-down, and the right main gear collapsed veering the airplane to the right, off the runway, damaging the right wing, right main gear, and nose-wheel. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found the nose and right main landing gear collapsed and structural damage to the wing ribs at the right main landing gear attach point. The airplane was placed in a hangar and jacked up for a retraction test. The gear handle was placed in the up position and the gear raised normally and the in transit light was not on when the gear was up and locked. When the gear handle was placed in the down position the hydraulic pump operated but the gear did not extend. The landing gear remained up and locked. Striking the pump with a hammer freed the shuttle valve and the gear operated normally. According to the FAA Inspector the gear would not extend normally without striking the shuttle valve with a hammer. A completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Report, was not received from the pilot or aircraft operator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportShelby County Airport (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length4411 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN70SR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMilton Perry Sheppard
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data