Event GAA19CA494

Factual narrative

The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that during approach, the airplane's airspeed was high. He decreased the airspeed and "pushed hard on the down lever" to extend the landing gear. However, the pilot had inadvertently pushed the lever to the side, which "bound up the (lever) handle." The pilot decided to land with the landing gear retracted, and the airplane slid to a stop on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during the approach, the airspeed was high, so he decreased it. He did not extend the landing gear until short final, at which point, he pushed down hard on the landing gear lever to extend the landing gear; however, he added that, after thinking about what happened, he realized that he must have inadvertently pushed the gear lever to the side, which "bound up the handle." Due to the airplane's proximity to the runway, he decided to land the airplane with the landing gear retracted, and the airplane slid to a stop on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Incorrect use/operation - C