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GAA20CA022

2019-10-14 · Douglas, Georgia, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport DQH

Current FAA registration · N8047R

Make / Model
BEECH A36
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AAF416

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear due to intoxication during an unauthorized flight.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, he failed to extend the landing gear and the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane skid off the runway to the right and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. 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 owner of the airplane reported that the pilot had not been authorized to fly the airplane the day of the accident. Local law enforcement officers conducted a field sobriety test and concluded that the pilot was impaired to the point that he was unsafe to operate an airplane. Subsequently, he was arrested for operating an aircraft while under the influence. The pilot reported that he failed to extend the landing gear and that the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane skidded off the runway to the right and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. 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 airplane's owner reported that the pilot had not been authorized to fly the airplane the day of the accident. Local law enforcement officers conducted a field sobriety test and concluded that the pilot was impaired to the point that he was unsafe to operate an airplane. Subsequently, he was arrested for operating an aircraft while under the influence. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Physical-Impairment/incapacitation-Alcohol-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Miscellaneous-Intentional act-Stolen/unauthorized-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA20CA022.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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