Pilot Debrief

CESSNA P210N near Saint Louis, MO — 2013-05-01

Final reportCEN13LA252
Sign in to save
Date
2013-05-01
Location
Saint Louis, MO, USA
Airport
SUS
Aircraft
CESSNA P210N
Registration
N731NR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear or check that it was in the down position before landing.

NTSB narrative

While on left base of the traffic pattern, an air traffic controller instructed the pilot to make a "short approach" to avoid traffic. The pilot reported that he lowered the landing gear handle but that he was unsure if the landing gear down indicator light had illuminated, and he did not remember visually verifying that the gear was down during the approach. The pilot stated that, during the approach, he was distracted by an odd smell in the cockpit, which he thought may have been the air conditioner malfunctioning. The airplane touched down on the runway surface with the landing gear retracted. Examination of the landing gear system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot was distracted by the odor in the cockpit and did not lower the landing gear or check that it was in the down position before landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not visually check landing gear before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps