Event CHI00LA029

Factual narrative

On November 15, 1999, at 1213 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, N4UE, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during a wheels-up landing on runway 03R (10,000 feet by 150 feet, dry/concrete) at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The positioning flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was on an instrument flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight departed Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Michigan, at 1100. According to the pilot's written statement, on short final to runway 03R he extended full flaps and retarded the engines at which time the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported, "...heard gear warning horn but before action could be taken, props [propellers] struck runway. Aircraft slid to a stop on runway. Shut down & secured aircraft." According to the pilot's written statement, on short final to runway 03R he extended full flaps and retarded the engines at which time the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported, '...heard gear warning horn but before action could be taken, props [propellers] struck runway. Aircraft slid to a stop on runway. Shut down & secured aircraft.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12