Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in a gear up landing. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On October 18, 1994 about 1735 eastern daylight time, N54VT, a Grumman G-44 "Widgeon" airplane, landed gearup, and nosed over on a private grass airstrip, at Haymarket, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The departure point was Culpeper, Virginia. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot "I left Manassas Airport to fly the fifteen minute trip home to land on the farm. As I approached the farm, I prepared for the landing by going through the pre- landing check. I elected to wait before putting the gear down. As I approached the landing,I was distracted by the bright sun glaring through the windshield as the sun was setting. I was distracted and did not put the gear down. The sun was bright enough that the gear light did not warn me of impending gear up landing."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC95LA014