1989-05-20: Piper PA-24-250 — Michael Peterson — San Diego, CA

Casualties unknown • San Diego, CA, US

Probable cause

THE COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO A BENT ROD END WHICH PREVENTED THE LANDING GEAR DRAG LINK TO LOCK OVER CENTER.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A LANDING AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO LOCK THE GEAR INTO THE DOWN POSITION. AFTERWARDS, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON JACKS AND THE ROD END DISCONNECTED, THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AND THE DRAG LINK LOCKED DOWN OVER CENTER AND MET TOLERANCE. DURING THE RETRACTION THE DOWN LOCK SWITCH COULD BE HEARD TO CLICK PRIOR TO THE DRAG LINK LOCKING OVER CENTER. DAMAGE TO THE LANDING GEAR, EXCEPT FOR THE ROD END, WAS IMPACT DAMAGE FROM THE COLLAPSING GEAR.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-20 Piper PA-24-250 accident near San Diego, CA?

THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A LANDING AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO LOCK THE GEAR INTO THE DOWN POSITION. AFTERWARDS, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON JACKS AND THE ROD END DISCONNECTED, THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AND THE DRAG LINK LOCKED DOWN OVER CENTER AND MET TOLERANCE. DURING THE RETRACTION…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-20 involved a Piper PA-24-250, registration N6545P, operated by Michael Peterson, at San Diego, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO A BENT ROD END WHICH PREVENTED THE LANDING GEAR DRAG LINK TO LOCK OVER CENTER.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28357. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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