On June 23, 1985, a Piper PA-30 (registration N7012Y) operated by Vandenberg Afb Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Manhattan, KS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted after the pilot reported a green indicator light. Examination found the gear switch down but the gear motor circuit breaker tripped; functional testing showed intermittent tripping.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that after placing the landing gear selector switch to the down position, he believed he observed a green indicator light indicating the gear was down and locked. However, the aircraft subsequently landed with the landing gear still retracted.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the landing, examination of the aircraft revealed that the landing gear selector switch was in the down position. The gear motor circuit breaker was found to be tripped. Investigators conducted functional tests of the landing gear system. During the first retraction cycle, the gear motor circuit breaker tripped again. After resetting the circuit breaker, the system operated properly through several subsequent retraction and extension cycles. The gear indicator lights and warning horn also functioned correctly during testing.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 23 Jun 1985 Piper PA-30 accident near Manhattan, KS?
An aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted after the pilot reported a green indicator light. Examination found the gear switch down but the gear motor circuit breaker tripped; functional testing showed intermittent tripping.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Jun 1985 involved a Piper PA-30, registration N7012Y, operated by Vandenberg Afb Flying Club, at Manhattan, KS.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…