Figure 1: Photograph of the Airplane After Recovery to a Hangar.
(Courtesy of the FAA)
Figure 2: Photograph of the Damages to the Belly of the Airplane
(Courtesy of the FAA)
Figure 3: Broken Alternator Belt
(Courtesy of the FAA)
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado
Location: Canon City, CO
Accident Number: CEN21LA065
Date & Time: November 19, 2020, 18:30 Local
Registration: N4187H
Aircraft: Piper PA32R
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
On November 19, 2020, about 1830 mountain standard time, a Piper PA32R airplane, N4187H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Canon City, Colorado. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight.
According to the pilot receiving instruction, he asked the flight instructor to fly with him on some night takeoffs and landings so he could get recurrent for night flight. They met at Fremont County Airport (1V6), Canon City, Colorado at 1730 and discussed the plan for the flight. The pilot receiving instruction had already completed a preflight inspection; however, another preflight was completed with the flight instructor present using the preflight checklists. They taxied to the run-up area at the end of runway 29 where the student receiving instruction completed the before takeoff checklist, to include an engine run up and magneto check.
They departed 1V6 and climbed to a cruise altitude of 8,500 ft enroute to Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB) Pueblo, Colorado, to practice night landings. Shortly after leveling off, they noticed the battery warning light illuminated. The amp meter showed the battery was not charging and only had 24 volts. They checked the circuit breakers, the alternator switch, and the master switch; all appeared normal and/or in the “ON” position. The flight instructor took control of the airplane while the pilot receiving instruction continued to assess the problem. The voltage continued to decrease, and they agreed to return to 1V6 since they were still a few miles closer to that airport than PUB. They turned off all unnecessary electrical components and left only the radio and instrument panel lighting on. As they neared 1V6 on final approach, the flight instructor asked the pilot receiving instruction to lower the landing gear. The pilot receiving instruction advised the landing gear was down; then all of the lights flickered, and the instrument panel went dark. The pilot receiving instruction held a flashlight up to the instrument panel so the flight instructor could see the gauges. When they touched down on the runway, the flight instructor stated he noticed the propeller had stopped and heard the sound of grinding. He immediately realized they had landed gear up. The airplane slid about 150 ft before coming to rest.
The flight instructor stated he did not pull the emergency landing gear knob because he believed the gear was down. They were able to get the airplane moved off the runway and into a hangar (Figure 1). The lower belly skin received substantial damage (Figure 2). Once in the hangar, they opened the engine cowling doors and found the alternator belt had failed ad was lying in the engine compartment (Figure 3).
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N4187H
Model/Series: PA32R 301T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFCS,5838 ft msl
Observation Time: 17:58 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 22.6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /-11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Canon City, CO
Destination: Canon City, CO
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.42856,-105.10685
"NOTE: If the battery is depleted, the landing gear must be lowered
ReplyDeleteusing the emergency extension procedure. The gear position
lights will be inoperative. The flaps will also be inoperative
and a flaps up landing will be required." https://stpeteair.org/wp-content/uploads/Saratoga-PA-32R-POH-with-TOC-.pdf