Event LAX03LA290

Factual narrative

On September 29, 2003, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9564B, landed with its landing gear retracted at John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California. Sunrise Aviation operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local personal flight originated at John Wayne Airport. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that in preparation for landing he lowered the landing gear handle but did not get a green safe light. The pilot could visually see that the right main strut was not in position. He cycled the landing gear multiple times and contacted Sunrise Aviation via the radio for troubleshooting assistance but the situation could not be remedied. He decided to make an intentional gear up landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed airframe keel damage and failure of the right landing gear pivot assembly. The pilot intentionally landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. In preparation for landing, he lowered the landing gear handle but did not get a green safe light. The pilot could visually see that the right main strut was not in position. He cycled the landing gear multiple times and contacted Sunrise Aviation via the radio for troubleshooting assistance but the situation could not be remedied. He decided to make an intentional gear up landing. Examination of the airplane revealed failure of the right landing gear pivot assembly. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12