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Distraction results in gear-up landing

By NTSB · January 9, 2014 ·

Aircraft: Mooney M20K. Injuries: None. Location: Willmar, Minn. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The student pilot was practicing solo takeoffs and landings. On the third approach he extended his downwind leg to provide spacing for another airplane.

He said that he forgot to lower the landing gear and inadvertently landed with the gear up.

He reported that the landing gear warning activated, however, he thought it was the stall warning.

Probable cause: The pilot landed without lowering the landing gear.

NTSB Identification: CEN12CA136

This January 2012 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.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Richard says

    January 10, 2014 at 8:10 am

    Maybe he fell asleep on approach due to having sleep apnea and dreamed that the gear was down.

  2. Ray says

    January 9, 2014 at 11:05 am

    Warning horn, gear down lights, checklist, what more do you need? Ok maybe a mallet comes out of the panel and bonks you in the head!

  3. Rod Beck says

    January 9, 2014 at 6:46 am

    It was later reported that several “well endowed” (flashing their wares!) gals from the local Hooter’s were doing a promotion near the approach end of the runway to “attract” the resident pilot population to their owners new pub – guess it worked!

    • RudyH says

      January 9, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Whoa, wow..Nice….. Mooney too! 😉

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