Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN P51 - D near Mesa, AZ — 2014-10-23

Final reportWPR15IA035
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Date
2014-10-23
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
Airport
IWA
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN P51 - D
Registration
N351BD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear to extend, which resulted in a gear-up landing. The reason for the left main landing gear’s failure to operate normally could not be determined because postincident examination of the landing gear system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after taking off and retracting the landing gear, he noticed that the landing gear lights did not indicate a normal landing gear retraction. The pilot extended the landing gear and then flew by a nearby helicopter, and the helicopter pilot informed him that the right main landing gear was extended but that the left main landing gear was not extended. The pilot's attempts to troubleshoot the problem were unsuccessful, so he chose to return to the airport. After burning off fuel, the pilot made an uneventful gear-up landing. The reason for the left main landing gear's failure to operate normally could not be determined during postincident examination.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted to land immediately after gear malfunction was noted.

NTSB coding

  • Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) · Maneuvering

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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