N88TG

Substantial
None

Piper PA31S/N: 31-8452020

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, April 18, 2020
NTSB Number
ANC20CA044
Location
Buckland, AK
Event ID
20200505X81213
Coordinates
65.907775, -161.926391
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 before landing due to distraction by the condition of the runway and his failure to use the Before Landing checklist.   

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
31-8452020
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1984
Model / ICAO
PA31PA31
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2
Seats
8
FAA Model
PA-31-350

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
N88TG LLC
Address
PO BOX 61455
City
FAIRBANKS
State / Zip Code
AK 99706-1455
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, due to weather in the local area, he elected to conduct a straight in landing approach, rather than overfly the runway. After slowing the airplane's airspeed, he selected flaps down to 15°, landing gear down, followed by full flaps. The pilot stated that he was distracted by standing water on the runway, and he failed to confirm the landing gear was in the down and locked position. After landing, and realizing that the landing gear was not extended, he checked the landing gear handle which was in the down neutral position with no landing gear indicator lights illuminated. The pilot surmised that upon selection of the landing gear handle on the approach, he must have failed to place the landing gear handle in the full down position.

The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had followed the airplane's checklist and not allowed the distractions and deviation from routine to alter his normal procedures.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC20CA044