Casualties unknown

Landing Gear Up Incident Reveals Circuit Breaker Failure (N9254P)

Champaign, IL, US

On April 24, 1983, a Piper PA-24 (registration N9254P) operated by Emanuel Crese was involved in an aviation accident near Champaign, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The landing gear circuit breaker opening, which disabled the warning horn and prevented the pilot from being alerted to the retracted gear position. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft landed with its gear up because the warning horn failed to sound. Investigation found the landing gear mechanism was functional, but a popped circuit breaker disabled the audible alert system.

What happened

The aircraft touched down on the runway with the landing gear retracted. Following the event, investigators examined the aircraft systems to determine why the gear did not extend or lock properly during the approach and landing phase.

The investigation

Mechanical inspection of the landing gear system revealed no malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. A specific retraction test confirmed that the mechanical components functioned as designed. However, electrical diagnostics showed that the warning horn failed to operate when it should have.

Upon checking the cockpit prior to removing the aircraft from the runway, investigators discovered that the landing gear circuit breaker had popped. This electrical failure prevented the warning system from alerting the pilot to the unsafe gear configuration.

Probable cause

The landing gear circuit breaker opening, which disabled the warning horn and prevented the pilot from being alerted to the retracted gear position.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42639. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.