Casualties unknown

1992-04-03: Piper PA-23-250 (N6460Y) — Richard D. Sunderland — Denver, CO

Denver, CO, US

On April 3, 1992, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N6460Y) operated by Richard D. Sunderland was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The gear malfunction was the result of a ruptured hydraulic fluid line. The depletion of the hydraulic fluid rendered the landing gear system inoperable. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a practice missed approach, the landing gear failed to retract. Emergency procedures were attempted. A fly-by revealed the nose gear in transit. On landing, the nose gear collapsed due to a ruptured hydraulic fluid line.

Incident Details

A flight instructor (CFI) was providing training to an instrument-rated commercial pilot. During a practice missed approach, the landing gear failed to retract after selection.

Emergency Procedures

The crew attempted to lower the landing gear using all available emergency procedures. Despite these efforts, the landing gear system did not respond normally.

Fly-by Inspection

A fly-by of the control tower was conducted to visually inspect the landing gear position. Tower personnel reported that the main landing gears were extended and locked, while the nose landing gear was observed to be in transit—neither fully up nor fully down.

Landing and Collapse

Subsequently, the pilots performed a landing. During the landing rollout, the nose landing gear collapsed as soon as it made contact with the runway surface.

Cause

Examination revealed that the landing gear malfunction was the result of a ruptured hydraulic fluid line. The depletion of hydraulic fluid rendered the landing gear system inoperable, preventing normal extension and locking of the nose gear.

Probable cause

The gear malfunction was the result of a ruptured hydraulic fluid line. The depletion of the hydraulic fluid rendered the landing gear system inoperable.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14426. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.