CHI01LA118

Factual narrative

On April 17, 2001, at 1650 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a wheels-up landing on runway 31 (5,200 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), at the Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries to himself or to his one passenger. The local flight originated at an undetermined time. In a written statement the pilot stated that he, "...forgot to lower [the] wheels." The "Before landing check list" from Section III of the Owners Handbook for the PA-28R-180 states: 1. Fuel - on proper tank 2. Electric fuel pump - ON 3. Mixture - set 4. Prop - set 5. Gear - DOWN & LOCKED (150 MPH MAX) 6. Flaps - set (125 MPH MAX) The airplane was substantially damaged during a wheels-up landing. In a written statement the pilot stated that he, "...forgot to lower [the] wheels." One item of the 'Before landing check list' says, "5. Gear - DOWN & LOCKED (150 MPH MAX)." Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12