On September 20, 1984, a Piper PA-24-260 (registration N8579P) was involved in an aviation accident near Carrington, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to verify the landing gear was down and locked prior to touchdown, which resulted in a gear-up landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot extended the landing gear on base leg but did not confirm the green light indication. Upon touchdown, all three gear collapsed, settling the aircraft onto the runway without reported mechanical malfunction.
What happened
According to the pilot, the landing gear was extended while the aircraft was on the base leg of the traffic pattern. However, the pilot did not recall visually confirming the green light that indicates the gear is down and locked. As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the pilot felt resistance through the controls. Immediately following touchdown, all three landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to settle directly onto the runway surface.
The investigation
A review of the incident revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction associated with the landing gear system. No mechanical issues were reported by the pilot nor discovered during the subsequent examination of the aircraft.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to verify the landing gear was down and locked prior to touchdown, which resulted in a gear-up landing.
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