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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 27, 2008 · Piper PA-44-180 · N318PA

Gila Bend, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 27, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Gila Bend, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-44-180
Tail Number
N318PA
Operator
Pan Am International Flight Academy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA067

Prior to landing, the student and the certified flight instructor (CFI) had both confirmed that the landing gear down indicator lights were illuminated, and visually confirmed the nose gear was extended by use of an airframe mirror. The pilots indicated that after touchdown the right wing started to drop, and the CFI took the controls, but the airplane veered off of the runway. Before the pilots left the airplane, they both saw the landing gear activation switch in the retracted position. During the recovery of the airplane, the landing gear was extended, retracted, and then extended again. No damage to the landing gear locking mechanism was found. The safety officer of the flight academy interviewed the flight crew and the recovery personnel. After the interviews, it was determined that during the landing roll, one of the crewmembers inadvertently placed the landing gear selector in the "up" position.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight crew's inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during the landing roll, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

The flight crew inadvertently retracted the landing gear during the landing rollout. The pilot under instruction (PUI) and the certified flight instructor (CFI) had both confirmed that the landing gear indicator lights were illuminated, and visually confirmed the nose gear was extended by use of the airframe mirror. The pilots indicated that after touchdown the right wing started to drop, and the CFI took the controls but the airplane veered off of the runway. As the pilots secured the airplane, they both observed the landing gear activation switch in the retracted position. During the recovery of the airplane the landing gear was extended, retracted, and then extended again. No damage to the landing gear locking mechanism was observed. The safety officer of the flight academy interviewed the flight crew and the recovery personnel. After the interviews it was determined that during the landing rollout and subsequent take-off roll, one of the crewmembers inadvertently placed the landing gear selector in the "up" position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 MST
Nearest AirportGila Bend Muni (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-44-180
Tail NumberN318PA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPan Am International Flight Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1H6 · Reciprocating · 180 | Lycoming · LO-360-A1H6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 35 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 2 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data