Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28R-201T near Liberal, KS — 2025-03-20

Final reportCEN25LA133
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Date
2025-03-20
Location
Liberal, KS, USA
Airport
LBL
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28R-201T
Registration
N38871
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to distraction and his failure to conduct the prelanding checklist.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, he heard a slapping noise outside the right front door of the airplane. He determined that the seatbelt was outside the door, and he decided to land to fix it. While on a midfield downwind to the runway, another pilot radioed that he was entering the vicinity of the airport to land. The accident pilot stated that he attempted to gauge the other pilot’s proximity to the airport and prepare himself for a crosswind landing and forgot to complete his prelanding checklist, which included lowering the landing gear. The airplane landed gear up, which resulted in substantial damage to the longerons on the belly of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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