Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 near Navasota, TX — 2020-12-28

Final reportCEN21LA105
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Date
2020-12-28
Location
Navasota, TX, USA
Airport
60R
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30
Registration
N1236
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he recently purchased the accident airplane to transition from large airplanes back to small airplanes. He conducted a normal, uneventful flight. When he approached the airport to land, he went through the “GUMP” checklist twice. However, when the airplane touched down onto the runway the landing gear was retracted which resulted in substantial damage to the underlying structure of the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation During a postaccident telephone conversation, the pilot mentioned that he accidentally merged the “GUMPS” check with a checklist he commonly used for large airplanes. He further reported that the airplane was not equipped with a landing gear horn, therefore, he was not alerted of the unsafe landing gear condition. He further stated that a landing gear warning horn will be installed on the airplane during the repair process.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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