Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before touchdown due to his failure to use a checklist.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that before landing he mistakenly selected the four-position landing gear selector lever to the down-neutral position instead of the full-down position. He further noted that he failed to recognize the lack of sound and feel of the landing gear extending, the lack of an illuminated green landing gear position light, and the lack of visual confirmation that the main landing gear had not extended. The airplane landed gear-up damaging several lower fuselage structural bulkheads and stringers. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used a checklist to ensure that the landing gear had been properly extended. He further noted that the airplane's landing gear unsafe warning horn had been inoperative for some time. A postaccident examination of the landing gear extension/retraction system did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented the landing gear from extending normally.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12CA036