Pilot Debrief

Cessna 177RG near Chesterfield, MO — 2020-02-19

Final reportCEN20LA095
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Date
2020-02-19
Location
Chesterfield, MO, USA
Airport
SUS
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Registration
N2763V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s and student pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was extended before landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot both reported verifying that the landing gear selector handle was in the down position when the airplane was on final approach. The flight instructor observed that the gear-down indicator light was illuminated, and he saw out the right-side window that the right main landing gear was fully extended. The student pilot noted the landing touchdown was "soft"; however, the landing gear collapsed after touchdown. Postaccident examination of the landing gear system did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a malfunction of the landing gear extension system that would preclude normal operation. Damage to the nose landing gear doors and the main landing gear strut steps was consistent with the landing gear being fully retracted when the fuselage contacted the runway pavement. The main wheel tires also lacked abnormal wear or abrasion, consistent with the gear being retracted. This evidence suggests that despite recalling that the landing gear was extended, the flight instructor and student failed to ensure that the landing gear was fully extended before landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Ensure landing gear was fully extended before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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