This December 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: Piper Navajo. Location: Muscle Shoals, Ala. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was on an instrument approach. He crossed the initial approach fix and descended to 2,300 feet, per the instrument approach procedure. Upon reaching the final approach fix, he then selected 1,200 feet in the altitude preselect in the autopilot and almost simultaneously visually acquired the runway and visual approach slope indicator. He then extended the wing flaps, but the power setting remained above the trigger point for activation of the landing gear warning horn. The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted. The pilot told investigators that he had become distracted and forgot to extend the landing gear.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear.
For more information: NTSB.gov
