Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

December 17, 2006 · Piper PA 23-235 · N5829X

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA 23-235
Tail Number
N5829X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA036

The right main landing gear collapsed as the pilot began to taxi the airplane to the runway. The pilot completed the run up and was preparing to depart. As he initiated the airplane's taxi, the right main gear collapsed. Post accident examination showed that none of the landing gear were in the down-and-locked position. Aircraft recovery personnel cycled the landing gear to a down-and-locked position. No mechanical anomalies were noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The landing gear collapsed for undetermined reasons while the aircraft was standing on the taxiway with the engines operating.

Full Narrative

On December 17, 2006, at 1115 mountain standard time, a Piper PA 23-235, N5829X, had the landing gear collapse at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone conversation immediately following the accident, the pilot stated that the airplane was positioned in the run up area for runway 25L and he had completed the run up. As the engines were powering down, the right main gear collapsed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to starting the airplane's engines, he lowered the gear handle and raised the flap handle. Once the left engine was started, the gear handle and flap handle went to neutral and the pilot verified that he had three green landing gear lights, indicating that the gear was down and locked. The pilot taxied the airplane to the run up area for runway 25L. At the run up area, he proceeded through his checklist, and ran the engine checks at 2,200 revolutions per minute. Then, the pilot idled the engines and completed the checklist. He released the brakes to taxi to the runway for takeoff, and the right main gear collapsed. The pilot noted that the right wing impacted the ground, the right rear window was broken, and the fuselage skin was wrinkled behind the right rear window. According to the pilot, the airplane was involved in a gear up landing previously and had undergone repairs. Since the repairs had been completed, the pilot did not note any problems with the landing gear system. The maintenance manual for the airplane indicates that, "...the tricycle landing gear system is an air-oil oleo type unit that is hydraulically operated and fully retractable with the nose gear retracting aft into the nose section and the main gear retracting forward into the engine nacelles. To prevent the gear from being retracted while the airplane is on the ground, an anti-retraction valve, located on the left main gear, prevents a build up of hydraulic pressure in the retraction system while the weight of the airplane is on its wheels." According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the airplane, after the left engine is started, the landing gear handle should be lowered and then the pilot should verify that it returns to a neutral position. The airplane manufacturer's representative indicated that although the pilot lowered the landing gear handle prior to starting the left engine, the action should have had no adverse effect on the operation of the landing gear system. The representative further stated that the anti-retraction valve works to stop on- ground gear retraction at low revolutions per minute. If power is applied to move the airplane, or if a run-up is performed, the possibility exists for the gear to unlock if the landing gear selector is in the retracted position. Aircraft recovery personnel reported that during the recovery of the aircraft, none of the landing gear were in the down-and-locked position. The airplane was lifted using a crane and the landing gear was cycled to the down-and-locked position. The wings were removed from the aircraft and no further functional testing was performed. Examination of the landing gear system linkage and anti-retraction valve did not reveal any mechanical anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 MST
Nearest AirportDeer Valley (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 23-235
Tail NumberN5829X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTextron Lycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 21 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data