Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA412

Spencer, IA, USA

Aircraft #1

N67CD

Beech A36

Analysis

According to the pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane, he did not extend the landing gear before landing. He reported that he became distracted while communicating with other aircraft and controlling the airplane in the gusting wind conditions. Further, he did not realize that what he perceived as the stall warning horn was actually the landing gear unsafe warning horn. He added that the accident could have been prevented by repeating his GUMPFS checklist on final and checking to ensure that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage bulkheads and spar carry-through. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to the pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane, he did not extend the landing gear prior to landing. He reported that he became distracted while communicating with other aircraft and controlling the airplane in the gusting wind conditions. Further, he did not realize that what he perceived as the stall warning horn, was the landing gear unsafe warning horn. Additionally, he reported that the accident could have been prevented by repeating his GUMPFS checklist on final and checking to ensure that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. The airplane sustained substantial damage the lower fuselage bulkheads and spar carry-through. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s failure to use the Before Landing checklist due to being distracted while communicating with other aircraft and controlling the airplane in the gusting wind conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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