Pilot Reported That The Landing Gear Did Not Extend Properly

Location: Grand Forks, ND Accident Number: CEN22LA102
Date & Time: January 2, 2022, 16:00 Local Registration: N5844P
Aircraft: Piper PA-24-250 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 2, 2022, about 1600 central standard time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N5844P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near at the Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the landing gear did not extend properly as he approached his intended destination airport. His attempts to extend the landing using the emergency extension procedure were not successful. He decided to divert to a tower-controlled airport. The tower controller subsequently confirmed that the landing gear was not fully extended; it appeared to be “a few inches down from the retracted position.” Consultation with a mechanic via the radio and further efforts to fully extend the landing gear were also not successful. He executed an emergency gear-up landing. The airframe sustained damage to the lower fuselage skin and substructure during the landing.

The airplane was recovered to a hangar at the airport, and a postaccident examination of the landing gear system is pending.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov