This July 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna T210.
Location: Loveland, Colo.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot said he was distracted by what he thought was a radio failure, his inability to immediately locate the wind sock, and an air show in progress at the destination airport, so he did not go through the normal before-landing checklist. Lowering the landing gear is part of the checklist. The pilot forgot to lower the landing gear and landed wheels up.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear. The pilot’s attention being diverted, and his failure to use the checklist were factors.
