N47U

On March 4, 1995, about 2016 eastern standard time, a Cessna R182, N47U, registered to Aleco Inc., landed gear up at Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Birmingham, Alabama, on March 4, 1995, about 1700.

The pilot stated he visually inspected the landing gear and verified he had a gear down light on final approach. As the aircraft touched down he felt a shimmy from the nose and the aircraft settled to the runway.

Examination by FAA inspectors indicated that scrape marks and propeller damage from the aircraft extended for about 1,000 feet on the runway. The aircraft's belly had sustained substantial damage due to sliding on the runway. The aircraft's landing gear, landing gear doors, and landing gear tires had no scuff marks or damage. The FAA inspectors stated all the areas checked during their inspection indicated that the landing gear was in the full retracted position throughout the entire landing.

The right front seat passenger stated she found the landing gear handle in the up position after landing. The rear seat passenger stated that during landing he heard a horn sounding and observed a red light on the instrument panel. After the accident the aircraft was raised. The landing gear handle was placed in the gear down position and the gear extended and locked. Further retraction testing of the landing gear system revealed no evidence to indicate precrash failure or malfunction of the landing gear system.