Event GAA19CA171

Factual narrative

The pilot of the retractable landing gear equipped-airplane reported that, while in the traffic pattern, he was distracted looking for other aircraft and failed to continue the landing checklist, but assumed it was completed. During approach, he reduced power, but did not hear the landing gear warning horn. The pilot then landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that, during the recovery process with a tow truck, they attempted to troubleshoot the landing gear warning system, but they did not hear the landing gear warning horn again. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administrator inspector revealed that the landing gear audible warning horn switch on the bulkhead (engine compartment) was improperly rigged and the horn did not sound when tested. He added that the airplane was equipped with a mirror on the right wing which the pilot could have used to visually check if the landing gear was extended. The pilot of the retractable-landing gear equipped-airplane reported that, while in the traffic pattern, he was distracted while looking for other aircraft and failed to continue the landing checklist, but he assumed it was completed. During the approach, he reduced power and did not hear the landing gear warning horn. The pilot then landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that, during the recovery process with a tow truck, they attempted to troubleshoot the landing gear warning system, but they still did not hear the landing gear warning horn. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administrator inspector revealed that the landing gear audible warning horn switch on the bulkhead (engine compartment) was improperly rigged, and the horn did not sound when tested. He added that the airplane was equipped with a mirror on the right wing, which the pilot could have used to visually check if the landing gear were extended. 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-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C
• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - C
• F Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Incorrect service/maintenance - F