N516DT

Substantial
None

Aero Commander 500S/N: 1574

Accident Details

Date
Friday, March 27, 2020
NTSB Number
ERA20CA148
Location
Opalocka, FL
Event ID
20200408X62348
Coordinates
25.907222, -80.283058
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear due to distraction and his delayed go-around, which allowed the airplane to get too low and contact the runway with the landing gear retracted.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AERO COMMANDER
Serial Number
1574
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1965
Model / ICAO
500AC50
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2
Seats
7
FAA Model
500-B

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
CENTRAL AIRLINES INC
Address
9015 ENSLEY LN
City
LEAWOOD
State / Zip Code
KS 66206-1778
Country
United States

Analysis

At the conclusion of an uneventful flight, the commercial pilot approached the runway for landing. During the landing flare, the airplane landing gear warning horn activated, so the pilot initiated a go around. While climbing to traffic pattern altitude he noticed that the landing gear handle was in the up position. He did not hear or feel the airplane contact the runway. The pilot subsequently landed and departed without incident; however, after landing at another airport he performed a more thorough post-flight inspection of the airplane. He then noticed that the marker beacon antenna was shaved off and the lower fuselage had sustained substantial damage consistent with ground contact.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA20CA148