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

July 10, 2011 · Piper PA-30 · N325EE

Plant City, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Plant City, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N325EE
Operator
Louis a Caporicci
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA396

The pilot stated that he departed and proceeded to a nearby airport where he performed six touch-and-go takeoffs and landings followed by one full-stop landing, all of which were uneventful. Before landing during the return flight, the pilot lowered the landing gear lever and observed that there were no landing gear down-and-locked indications and that the landing gear circuit breaker (CB) was tripped. The pilot reset the CB and attempted to raise then lower the landing gear; however, the landing gear failed to fully extend, and the landing gear CB tripped again. Attempts to extend the landing gear using the emergency extension lever in accordance with the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, using G-loading, and following guidance from maintenance personnel were unsuccessful. The pilot performed a fly-by and was informed that the landing gear appeared to be partially extended. The pilot turned off the fuel and master and placed the mixture controls to idle-cutoff. At touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the left, then the nose. The airplane came to rest on the runway. Postaccident examination of the nose landing gear revealed that a screw was broken off in the first thread of the nose landing gear aligner assembly. The head of the screw and associated bushings were separated and not located. No determination was made for the reason for the fractured screw. The manufacturer’s assessment indicated there have been no service difficulty reports pertaining to the screw.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of a screw in the nose landing gear aligner assembly for undetermined reasons, which prevented the landing gear from fully extending.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he departed and proceeded to a nearby airport where he performed 6 touch-and-go landings followed by one full-stop landing; all were uneventful. The flight departed to return and after lowering the landing gear using the normal system, there were no landing gear down and locked indications. Additionally, the landing gear circuit breaker (CB) tripped. He reset the CB, raised then lowered the landing gear; however, the landing gear failed to fully extend and the landing gear CB tripped again. Attempts to extend or retract the landing gear using the emergency extension lever in accordance with the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, and also G-loading were unsuccessful. Guidance from maintenance personnel was also unsuccessful in lowering the landing gear. He performed a fly-by and was informed that the landing gear appeared to be partially extended. The pilot returned for landing and on short final had the passenger get in the back of the airplane as the airplane did not have shoulder harnesses. The cabin entry door was opened slightly, the fuel and master were turned off, and the mixture controls were placed to idle-cutoff.At touchdown, the right gear collapsed, followed by the left, then the nose. The airplane came to rest on the runway right of center line and both evacuated the airplane. Postaccident inspection of the nose landing gear by an FAA inspector revealed a screw part number (P/N) 411 349 was broken off in the first thread of the bellcrank assembly P/N 21708-00. The head of the screw, bushing P/N 14976-15, and bushing P/N 14976-16 were separated and not located. No determination was made as to the reason for the fractured screw. Piper Aircraft personnel reported there have been no service difficult reports pertaining to the screw.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest AirportPlant City Airport (0nm)
Runway10
Runway Length3948 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN325EE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLouis a Caporicci
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-C1A · Reciprocating · 160 | Lycoming · IO-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 51 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8500 ft
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time19:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data