Event GAA16CA519

Factual narrative

According to the pilot in the retractable landing gear airplane, his normal approach to the backcountry grass airstrip was to follow the terrain until established on a "5-10 second" final approach. The pilot recalled that there was a five-knot tailwind at the airstrip during the approach. On final, he increased the flaps, the airspeed was 70 knots, and the airplane touched down on the approach end of the runway. However, he reported that he did not extend the retractable landing gear and following the touch down, the airplane slid about 1,000 feet down the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage longerons and the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airframe or engine, that would have prevented normal operation. According to the pilot of the retractable landing gear airplane, his normal approach to the backcountry grass airstrip was to follow the terrain until established on a "5-10 second" final approach. The pilot recalled that there was a 5-knot tailwind at the airstrip during the approach. On final, he increased the flaps, the airspeed was 70 knots, and the airplane touched down on the approach end of the runway. He reported that he did not extend the retractable landing gear and that, following the touchdown, the airplane slid about 1,000 ft down the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage longerons and the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot