Landing gear retraction during landing

Casualties unknown • Montague, CA, US

An aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted following a mechanical failure in the gear motor system after recent maintenance.

What happened

The aircraft performed a landing with its landing gear in the retracted position. Following the incident, once the aircraft was raised from the runway, the crew utilized the manual extension system to extend the gear.

The investigation

Post-accident investigators discovered that the circuit breaker for the gear motor had popped. A detailed examination of the landing gear system revealed that the gear motor was binding. This binding was caused by an insufficient adjustment between the transmission and the gear motor. The aircraft had recently undergone maintenance on the gear system, which included a replacement of the landing gear transmission.

Findings

Investigation determined that the mechanical binding prevented electrical actuation of the gear. It was noted that this aircraft is equipped with a manual extension system that also functions as a secondary indicator for gear position; when the gear moves via electrical actuation, the manual extension system moves simultaneously.

Probable cause

The gear motor experienced binding due to an improper adjustment between the transmission and the gear motor following recent maintenance.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-06 Piper PA-24 accident near Montague, CA?

An aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted following a mechanical failure in the gear motor system after recent maintenance.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-06 involved a Piper PA-24, registration N550V, operated by Samual Powell, at Montague, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The gear motor experienced binding due to an improper adjustment between the transmission and the gear motor following recent maintenance.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28343. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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