Probable cause
The inadequate hydraulic pressure due to a damaged O-ring in the hydraulic powerpack, which prevented the right main landing gear (MLG) downlock from locking in the extended positon and allowed the right MLG to collapse during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was performing touch-and-go landings and that, during the second landing, the right wing contacted the ground. The airplane then came to a stop on the runway. Postaccident examinations revealed that the right main gear landing (MLG) downlock was not in the locked position and that the right MLG had collapsed during landing. During the teardown of the hydraulic powerpack, a damaged O-ring was found on the gear selector shaft. The damaged O-ring did not allow the hydraulic fluid to build pressure and the downlock to hold, which prevented the downlock from locking the right MLG in the extended position.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA105 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 28, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Camarillo, California
- Nearest airport
- Camarillo (CMA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 23-250
- N-number
- N5977Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.