No fatalities

Main Landing Gear Collapse During Landing Rollout (N15723)

Jeffersonville, IN, US

On December 1, 2002, a Piper PA-34-200 (registration N15723) was involved in an aviation accident near Jeffersonville, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The mechanical binding of the left main landing gear, which resulted in the left main landing gear not fully extending to the down-and-locked position. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A main landing gear collapsed during landing rollout. Post-accident testing revealed a corroded linkage and dirt on position switches on the left main gear.

Accident Details

The main landing gear collapsed during the landing rollout. The pilot reported that when he selected 'gear down' the in-transit light illuminated, and when the landing gear had extended, the three landing gear position lights illuminated. The in-transit light did not remain illuminated after the landing gear had extended. The pilot stated there was "no gear warning indication or horn sounding." A normal landing was made, and prior to the first taxiway, both main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that when the main landing gear collapsed, the in-transit light illuminated and the landing gear warning horn sounded. The three landing gear position lights remained illuminated after the aircraft came to rest.

Post-Accident Examination

The airplane was elevated for an operational test of the landing gear. During normal gear extension, the nose and right main landing gear extended as designed. The left main landing gear extended approximately 3/4 down before becoming mechanically bound. The nose and right main landing gear position lights illuminated. The left main landing gear position light did not illuminate. The left main landing gear could be forced into the down-and-locked position, and the gear position light would illuminate.

Inspection of the left main landing gear revealed that the linkage between the left oleo strut assembly and the gear was corroded, and dirt was present on the landing gear position switches. The linkage was disconnected, and the left main landing gear moved freely.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Dec 2002 Piper PA-34-200 accident near Jeffersonville, IN?

A main landing gear collapsed during landing rollout. Post-accident testing revealed a corroded linkage and dirt on position switches on the left main gear.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Dec 2002 Piper PA-34-200 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Dec 2002 involved a Piper PA-34-200, registration N15723, at Jeffersonville, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The mechanical binding of the left main landing gear, which resulted in the left main landing gear not fully extending to the down-and-locked position. Factors to the accident were the oleo-strut linkage being corroded and the contamination of the gear position switches.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021204X05562. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.