Casualties unknown

Maintenance Test Flight Ends in Collision After Engine and Gear Malfunctions (N4376P)

Lancaster, CA, US

On August 4, 1989, a Piper PA-23-180 (registration N4376P) operated by Simanski, Donald E. was involved in an aviation accident near Lancaster, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES IN RESTARTING THE ENGINE THAT DRIVES THE HYDRUALIC PUMP AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW PUBLISHED EMERGENCY LANDING GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURES. 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

During a maintenance test flight, the pilot shut down the left engine but could not restart it. Returning with one engine, the landing gear failed to extend, and the aircraft lost altitude and collided with the ground.

Incident Overview

After completion of an annual inspection, the aircraft owner elected to conduct a maintenance test flight. During the flight, the pilot intentionally shut down the right engine, then feathered and unfeathered the propeller, and successfully restarted the engine by allowing the propeller to windmill.

Sequence of Events

The pilot then followed the same procedure with the left engine and propeller. However, the propeller failed to unfeather, and he could not restart the left engine. The pilot returned to the airport with one engine operating. During pattern entry, he attempted to extend the landing gear, but the landing gear did not extend. The pilot initiated a go-around. The aircraft did not climb and began to lose altitude. Eventually, it collided with the ground off the airport during an unarrested descent.

Landing Gear and Hydraulic System

The landing gear extension and retraction system was hydraulic and powered by a pump on the left engine. The flight manual provided two alternate means of emergency gear extension, neither of which the pilot attempted on the first landing approach.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29150. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.