Event GAA19CA138

Factual narrative

The pilot of the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he noticed he was a little high, so he reduced power to idle and heard an alert horn. He quickly scanned the engine gauges and observed that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication". He considered performing a go around but decided to land and assess the situation on the ground. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that he did not see the landing gear position light because his iPad sitting on the yoke blocked his view. He added that leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast paced, and he felt rushed, which attributed to him assuming he was in his "typical" fixed landing gear airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he noticed the airplane was a little high, so he reduced power to idle and heard an alert horn. He quickly scanned the engine gauges and saw that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication." He considered conducting a go-around but decided to land and assess the situation on the ground. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that he did not see the landing gear position light because his iPad, which was sitting on the yoke, blocked his view. He added that, leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast paced, and he felt rushed, which attributed to his assumption that he was in his "typical" fixed-landing gear airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-Stress-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-Confusion-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring equip/instruments-Pilot
• F Environmental issues-Task environment-Physical workspace-Visibility-Effect on personnel - F
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-Stress-Pilot - C