On February 6, 1992, a Piper PA-30 (registration N1509) operated by Fred Fair was involved in an aviation accident near Monte Vista, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND JAMMED LANDING GEAR EXTENSION MECHANISMS DUE TO CORROSION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced landing gear failure during an arrival flight to an inspection facility. Despite exhausting all alternate extension methods, the aircraft landed with gear retracted.
What happened
The pilot was reportedly conducting a flight to transport the aircraft from its home base to another facility for an annual inspection. During the approach phase of the flight, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear in preparation for arrival. The primary extension system failed to deploy the gear.
After encountering the mechanical failure, the pilot proceeded to exhaust all possible alternate methods for extending the landing gear. These emergency procedures did not result in gear deployment. Consequently, the aircraft was forced to land with the landing gear remaining in the up position.
The investigation
The available source material does not provide specific details regarding the mechanical examination of the landing gear system or findings from a physical inspection of the aircraft components.