Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN92LA012

DENVER, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N354AC

PIPER PA-31-350

Analysis

DURING THE APPROACH, THE PILOT COULD NOT OBTAIN A GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATION ON THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. HE ELECTED TO LAND GEAR UP WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE. POSTACCIDENT TESTS REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LOCK SWITCH HAD FROZEN FROM AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME INCLUDED ICING, LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED ACCUMULATIONS OF MODERATE ICE. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, ICE ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 3 INCHES WAS FOUND ON THE AIRCRAFT.

Probable Cause and Findings

A FALSE UNSAFE LANDING GEAR INDICATION DUE TO A FROZEN DOWN LOCK SWITCH. FACTORS WERE: ICING CONDITIONS AND LOW CEILINGS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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