DENVER, CO, USA
N354AC
PIPER PA-31-350
DURING THE APPROACH, THE PILOT COULD NOT OBTAIN A GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATION ON THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. HE ELECTED TO LAND GEAR UP WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE. POSTACCIDENT TESTS REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LOCK SWITCH HAD FROZEN FROM AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME INCLUDED ICING, LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED ACCUMULATIONS OF MODERATE ICE. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, ICE ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 3 INCHES WAS FOUND ON THE AIRCRAFT.
A FALSE UNSAFE LANDING GEAR INDICATION DUE TO A FROZEN DOWN LOCK SWITCH. FACTORS WERE: ICING CONDITIONS AND LOW CEILINGS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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