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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 12, 2023 · Piper PA-24-260 · N8729P

Anthony, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 2023
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Anthony, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260 (1965)
Tail Number
N8729P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN24LA060

The pilot reported that, during the night flight, the airplane’s interior lighting dimmed and he used a flashlight to view the instrument panel. He selected the landing gear down and mistook the reflection from the flashlight as a gear down indication. When he was about to touch down, the propeller tips contacted the runway and the pilot applied power to go around. During the go-around, the pilot used the emergency gear extension procedure to lower the landing gear; however, the airplane was not able to maintain altitude and he executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck power lines, impacted the field, and slid into large round hay bales that were in the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane determined that the alternator was not supplying any charge to the battery. The pilot noted that during the initial approach, he should have used the manual gear extension procedure to ensure that the landing gear was in the down position. The reduced performance of the engine/propeller combination after the propeller blades made runway contact likely led to the airplane’s inability to maintain altitude during the go-around.

NTSB Probable Cause

A failure of the airplane’s alternator, which resulted in a loss of electrical power, and the pilot’s failure to use the emergency gear extension procedure during the initial landing approach, which led to a gear-up landing.

Full Narrative

On December 11, 2023, about 1930 central standard time, a Piper PA24-260, N8729P, was involved in an accident near Anthony, Kansas. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to retrieve the airplane following its annual inspection. The flight was conducted at night; as the airplane approached the destination airport, the airplane’s interior lighting dimmed and the pilot used a flashlight to view the instrument panel. He selected the landing gear down and mistook the reflection from the flashlight as a gear down indication. When he was about to touch down, the propeller tips contacted the runway and the pilot applied power to go around. During the go-around, the pilot used the emergency gear extension procedure to lower the landing gear, but the airplane was not able to maintain altitude and he executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck power lines, impacted the field, and slid into large round hay bales that were in the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. In his report, the pilot noted that during the initial approach he should have used the manual gear extension procedure to ensure that the landing gear was in the down position. Postaccident examination of the airplane determined that the airplane’s alternator was not supplying any charge to the battery.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 CST
Nearest AirportAnthony Muni (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length5002 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN8729P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 F / 27 F
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data