Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were pilot fatigue and his failure to use the before landing checklist.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that he had been flying an instrument flight rules cross-country flight for about six continuous hours. He reported that he felt fatigued and anxious to get out of the airplane, so he decided to refuel enroute and contacted a nearby tower, and at that time he was notified of two aircraft in the pattern. He was able to identify only one of the airplanes before he initiated the approach.
During the approach about 100ft AGL, tower informed the pilot that he needed to go around but did not say why. The pilot felt it to be unwise to abort the landing because he did not know the location of the second airplane in the pattern and continued the approach and landing. He reported that he did not accomplish the GUMPS checklist because of the distractions and the airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage longerons and bulkhead.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA174