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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.

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NTSB Report

December 12, 2015 · Piper PA 31 350 · N27405

Clearwater, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Clearwater, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA 31 350 (1977)
Tail Number
N27405
Operator
Creative Marketing Associates
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16LA087

The commercial pilot reported that, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he applied flaps and pushed the landing gear lever "completely down" and then saw the landing gear extension indicator lights illuminate. On short final and as the airplane passed through 500 ft above ground level, he verified that the three green landing gear extension lights had illuminated and applied full flaps for landing. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard with the gear retracted and skidded to a stop on the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage keel beam, formers, and stringers. Postaccident examination of the landing gear system revealed no evidence of any faults, malfunctions, or anomalies with the system, including the landing gear extension indicator lights and warning horn. It is likely that the pilot failed to extend the landing gear, which resulted in the gear-up landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C

Full Narrative

On December 12, 2016, about 1505 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-350 airplane, N27405, landed gear-up during the touchdown at Clearwater Air Park, Clearwater, Florida. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Creative Marketing Associates Incorporated, Saint Petersburg, Florida, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a day, visual flight rules passenger flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the Peter O Knight Airport, Tampa, Florida, about 1455 EST. The pilot reported that after a cross-country flight in a retractable, tricycle landing gear-equipped airplane, he entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport. He recalled that on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he applied flaps, pushed the landing gear lever down and performed his GGUMPS checklist. He reported that, "I saw the landing gear down lights lighting up after I pushed the landing gear lever completely down." He reported that on short final, as the airplane passed through 500 feet above ground level, "I verified three green landing gear down indicator lights and applied full flaps for landing." He recalled that the airplane landed hard on the runway and skidded to a stop on the runway. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and has reported the accumulation of 4,664 total flight hours, of which 860 hours were accumulated in the accident airplane. He reported that he had accumulated 5 hours in the accident airplane the day before the accident. The accident airplane had flown 9.6 hours since a 100 hour inspection was completed two months prior to the accident. A post-accident inspection of the airplane by FAA Airworthiness Inspectors noted substantial damage to the fuselage keel beams, stringers and formers. Photographs of the left and right landing gear, leg and wheel doors provided by the FAA Airworthiness Inspector, reveal that no damage existed to the either leg or wheel doors, consistent with the landing gear being retracted during landing. Following the accident, a landing gear extension and retraction check was completed under the supervision of an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, and a separate inspection was conducted by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector; both inspections confirmed that there were no faults, malfunctions or anomalies with the landing gear extension or retraction system, including indicator lights and warning horn.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:05 EST
Nearest AirportClearwater Air Park (0nm W)
Runway16
Runway Length4108 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 31 350
Tail NumberN27405
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCreative Marketing Associates
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350 | Lycoming · LTIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · None
Crew 2None
Crew 3None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data