Event GAA18CA171

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that he was providing multi-engine instruction in an airplane with retractable landing gear to a private pilot that held a single engine airplane rating. During the pilot's first simulated engine failure, single engine approach to land, he did not extend the landing gear, and the flight instructor did not verify that the landing gear were extended. During the approach, the landing gear warning horn was heard by both pilots but disregarded because of the nature of the maneuver. The airplane touched down on the runway with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. According to the Airplane Flying Handbook, page 1-6 Use of Checklist: The importance of consistent use of checklists cannot be overstated in pilot training. A major objective in primary flight training is to establish habit patterns that will serve pilots well throughout their entire flying career. The flight instructor must promote a positive attitude toward the use of checklists, and the student pilot must realize its importance. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that he was providing multi-engine instruction to a private pilot who held a single engine airplane rating; the airplane had retractable landing gear. During the pilot's first simulated engine failure, single-engine approach to land, he did not extend the landing gear, and the flight instructor did not verify that the landing gear were extended. During the approach, both pilots heard the landing gear warning horn but disregarded it because of the nature of the maneuver. The airplane touched down on the runway with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. According to the Airplane Flying Handbook, page 1-6 Use of Checklist: The importance of consistent use of checklists cannot be overstated in pilot training. A major objective in primary flight training is to establish habit patterns that will serve pilots well throughout their entire flying career. The flight instructor must promote a positive attitude toward the use of checklists, and the student pilot must realize its importance. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded 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 Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Main landing gear-Not used/operated - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Instructor/check pilot - C
• F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - F
• F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Instructor/check pilot - F
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C
• — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear position and warning-Related operating info