LAX01LA082

Factual narrative

On January 27, 2001, at 1210 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech BE-55, N1280Z, landed gear-up at San Bernardino, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the certificated flight instructor and his certificated student were not injured. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the student/owner when the accident occurred. The local flight originated from Cable Airport, Upland, California, California, at 1114. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. According to San Bernardino Police Department officers, the student stated that he was receiving flight instruction for his commercial certificate and had just completed two touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He was on his third touch-and-go to runway 24 at San Bernardino International Airport when according to his written statement, he forgot to lower the landing gear prior to touchdown. The instructor told officers that he did not hear the gear warning horn prior to the accident. The airplane was engaged in traffic pattern work and had completed a series of touch-and-go's. On final approach to landing the landing gear was not extended. The pilot under instruction stated he forgot to lower the landing gear. The flight instructor did not recall hearing a gear condition alert. Both the student and instructor noticed the landing gear warning system working as they did their pattern work prior to the accident. The instructor did state that the student was carrying more engine power for this approach. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12