Event GAA17CA197

Factual narrative

The pilot of the retractable landing gear airplane reported that during the approach of a simulated 180° power off landing, he became fixated on his touchdown point and did not complete the landing checklist. He added that he did not look outside to check that the main landing gear was down or to "confirm a green [landing gear position indicator] light". The airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In a follow up email correspondence, the pilot reported that he was using an active noise reducing headset during the accident flight. He added that although the gear warning horn was audible, it did not translate in his brain as a landing gear retracted warning. The pilot of the retractable-landing-gear airplane reported that, during the approach of a simulated 180° power-off landing, he became fixated on his touchdown point and did not complete the landing checklist. He added that he did not look outside to check that the main landing gear was down or to "confirm a green [landing gear position indicator] light." The airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In a followup e-mail, the pilot reported that he was using an active noise reducing headset during the accident flight. He added that, although the gear warning horn was audible, it did not translate in his brain as a landing gear retracted warning. 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 Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - C