Summary
On October 11, 2012, a Cessna 172RG (N4939V) was involved in an incident near Mobile, AL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to perform the before landing checklist and extend the landing gear before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the designated pilot examiner’s inadequate remedial action.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to complete a commercial single-engine land checkride with a designated pilot examiner. During the straight in landing approach, the pilot selected full flaps and reduced the engine power to idle in order to descend, but did not use the before landing checklist and did not extend the landing gear. Over the runway threshold, the pilot verified the throttle was at idle and began to flare the airplane. Prior to landing, the designated pilot examiner did not verify that the landing gear was extended. Subsequently, the airplane landed on the runway without the landing gear extended which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA028. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4939V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to perform the before landing checklist and extend the landing gear before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the designated pilot examiner’s inadequate remedial action.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to complete a commercial single-engine land checkride with a designated pilot examiner. During the straight in landing approach, the pilot selected full flaps and reduced the engine power to idle in order to descend, but did not use the before landing checklist and did not extend the landing gear. Over the runway threshold, the pilot verified the throttle was at idle and began to flare the airplane. Prior to landing, the designated pilot examiner did not verify that the landing gear was extended. Subsequently, the airplane landed on the runway without the landing gear extended which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Both pilots reported that they did not hear the landing gear warning horn prior to landing without the landing gear extended. According to a mechanic, during the recovery of the airplane, when the battery switch was turned on, the landing gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, pilot noted that the before landing checklist was not completed and the accident could have been prevented if it had been completed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA028