Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Crystal, Minnesota, December 12, 2024
On December 12, 2024, a 1976 Piper PA-28R-200, registered N4823F, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Crystal, Minnesota (Crystal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The malfunction of the landing gear system which resulted in a collapse of the main landing gear during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 12, 2024
- Place
- Crystal, Minnesota · Crystal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200, built 1976 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N4823F · registry record · serial 28R-7635437
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while on downwind, he lowered the landing gear lever; however, the landing gear position indicator lights did not illuminate. He cycled the landing gear lever several times with no change. The pilot noticed the sound was “less than normal” and that there was “less buffeting” when lowering the landing gear. He attempted to lock the landing gear in the down position by yawing the airplane to the left and right. The pilot flew the airplane past the air traffic control tower, and the controller verified that the airplane’s landing gear appeared to be extended. He then cycled the landing gear lever before landing. During the landing roll, the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck several runway and taxiway lights, and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its left wing. The pilot did not perform the emergency gear extension procedure because the pilot’s operating handbook with the emergency procedures was in the baggage compartment at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination revealed that, when the airplane was lifted, the main landing gear extended and locked in the down position.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear extension and retract sys › Malfunction
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 813.8 hours in all; 377.3 in this make and model; 27.6 in the last 90 days; 10.5 in the last 30 days; 673.8 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 6, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,342.0 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 10, 2024; 216.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 274 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LXT Lee'S Summit MO at 9:30 am
- Destination: MIC Minneapolis MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 32, 3,751 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 310° at 14 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point -11°F (-24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KMIC
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMIC 112353Z 31014G27KT 10SM FEW022 M18/M24 A3016 RMK AO2 PK WND 30027/2348 SLP234 60000 T11831244 11128 21183 51024=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 20, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.