Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N6263P: Accident occurred October 18, 2018 at Madras Municipal Airport (S33), Jefferson County, Oregon

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Hillsboro, Oregon

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N6263P 

Location: MADRAS, OR
Accident Number: GAA19CA032
Date & Time: 10/18/2018, 1500 PDT
Registration: N6263P
Aircraft: Piper PA24
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot of the retractable-gear airplane reported that, during landing, at the "last second" he noticed that the landing gear was not extended. He applied full power to go around, but the airplane pitched down and impacted the runway. The airplane came to rest about 1000 ft down the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 52, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/03/2017
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/20/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1575 hours (Total, all aircraft), 38 hours (Total, this make and model), 1575 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N6263P
Model/Series: PA24 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 24-1371
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2647.19 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-A1D-5
Registered Owner: West Coast Aircraft LLC
Rated Power: 250 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRDM, 3084 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2156 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 179°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 10°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: MADRAS, OR (S33)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: MADRAS, OR (S33)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1330 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: MADRAS MUNICIPAL (S33)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2436 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 34
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5089 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Touch and Go

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.665556, -121.153333 (est)