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GAA15CA080

2015-05-12 · Crownpoint, New Mexico, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 0E8

Current FAA registration · N811VM

Make / Model
PILATUS PC-12/45
Year of manufacture
2000 · 15 years old at event
Engine
P&W CANADA PT6A-6 SERIES (950 hp)
Seats / Engines
12 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20051215
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AB0EFA

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced engine power to idle and the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported that he misinterpreted the gear warning horn for the ground proximity warning system and the airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spar carry-through structure and left spar attachment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced engine power to idle and the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported that he misinterpreted the gear warning horn for the ground proximity warning system and the airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spar carry-through structure and left spar attachment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA15CA080.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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