Casualties unknown

Landing Gear Collapse During Taxi at Midland Airpark (N7150P)

Midland, TX, US

On August 10, 1987, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N7150P) operated by Kenneth Neill was involved in an aviation accident near Midland, TX. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A light aircraft experienced a collapse of the right main landing gear while being towed for maintenance at Midland Airpark, resulting in substantial damage to the wing and gear assembly.

What happened

An aircraft was being transported to Midland Airpark Airport specifically for maintenance purposes when an incident occurred during the movement phase. While the aircraft was being moved on the ground, the right main landing gear assembly collapsed. This structural failure resulted in an immediate loss of directional control. The collapse caused substantial damage to both the right wing assembly and the right main landing gear assembly itself.

The investigation

Following the incident, an examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the extent of the damage and the underlying cause of the mechanical failure. Investigators focused on the right main landing gear and the associated wing structure due to the reported collapse. However, despite the inspection, the specific technical reason for the main landing gear failure could not be determined from the available evidence.

Findings

The primary finding relates to the mechanical integrity of the landing gear system during ground operations. The right main landing gear failed while the aircraft was in transit for maintenance, leading to significant structural damage. The exact cause of this gear failure remains undetermined due to insufficient data or evidence to pinpoint a specific mechanical defect or operational error.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31811. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.