Piper PA-31-350 N66906

Summary

On 18 August 1998 at about 03:05 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N66906 was involved in an incident near Denver, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 August 1998 at 03:05

Classification

Incident

Location

Denver, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Denver International (DEN)

Coordinates

39.8504, -104.6996

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N66906

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Trinidad → Colorado Sprngs

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

FTW98IA361

Nobody was injured.

A hydraulic failure due to a ruptured hydraulic line, preventing the extension of the nose and right main landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After departure, the crew noticed a malfunction with the landing gear transition light. They attempted to recycle the landing gear, but the transition light remained illuminated. They circled the area for approximately one hour and thirty-five minutes, but all attempts to lower the gear were unsuccessful. The crew made the decision to divert to Denver International Airport where expanded emergency ground services would be available. The crew declared an emergency, and a gear-up landing was performed. Post accident examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the landing gear sustained a hydraulic failure which was due to a ruptured hydraulic hose located in the right wheel well. The hydraulic braided steel hose had several braids broken and the rubber hose had been punctured and/or ruptured under pressure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.