Piper PA-23-250 N428RM

Summary

On 17 September 2006 at about 14:51 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 registered N428RM was involved in an accident near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 September 2006 at 14:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE)

Coordinates

26.2064, -80.1736

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-250

Registration

N428RM

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Boca Raton → Bimini

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA06CA139

Nobody was injured.

The inadequate installation of a flexible hydraulic hose at the nose landing gear actuator by an unknown person resulting in the total loss of hydraulic fluid, the inability of the pilot to extend the landing gear, and subsequent wheels-up landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff, the landing gear remained extended based on sluggish airplane performance and also lack of indicator lights after attempting to retract the gear using the normal procedures. He attempted to cycle the landing gear and also attempted to extend the landing gear using the emergency hand pump and also by the emergency CO2 blow-down bottle; the results of both were unsuccessful. He further reported hydraulic fluid on the cockpit floor after using the emergency hand pump but postaccident examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed no hydraulic fluid leakage in the cockpit. The pilot was advised by air traffic control that the landing gear appeared retracted but the landing gear doors were open. The flight proceeded to another airport where the airplane was landed with the landing gear retracted. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed a loose B-nut of a flexible hydraulic hose at the nose landing gear actuator; the hydraulic reservoir of the power pack was empty. The hose was tightened, the reservoir was serviced, and the landing gear was cycled 3 times using the emergency hand pump. Misadjustment of the down lock switches for each main landing gear was noted though all gears were down and locked over center during gear extension. The pilot advised the FAA that before the accident, no work was performed to the landing gear, though records indicate the pilot purchased the flexible hydraulic hose that was found to have a loose B-nut. Additionally, in May 2006, and again in August 2006, the pilot requested from 2 separate individuals to check the landing gear. The pilot (not a certificated airframe mechanic), asked the one individual in May 2006 to assist him with a "Main Landing Gear retraction problem he couldn't solve." The pilot provided to the NTSB the name of the mechanic who removed and replaced the flexible hydraulic hose at the nose landing gear actuator which was found to have the loose B-nut. The mechanic (that the pilot stated had replaced the hydraulic hose) reported that he did not perform any work to the landing gear system. The maintenance records did not reflect, and no determination was made as to who removed and replaced the flexible hydraulic hose that was found to have the loose B-nut.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.