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Casualties unknown

Pilot Lands Aircraft Gear-Up After Aborted Single-Engine Practice (N4605N)

Plainview, TX, US

On February 23, 1986, a Cessna 402B (registration N4605N) was involved in an aviation accident near Plainview, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper approach during a practice single-engine procedure, which necessitated a gear-up landing because a go-around was not feasible with an intentionally inoperative engine. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

A pilot conducting a practice single-engine procedure aborted a landing due to an improper approach, then executed a controlled gear-up landing after realizing a go-around was not viable.

What happened

The aircraft landed on its belly following a practice single-engine procedure. The pilot initiated an attempt to abort the landing and execute a go-around. However, the approach had become improper, making the go-around impractical given that one engine was intentionally inoperative. Upon recognizing this limitation, the pilot concluded the flight by landing gear-up at the airport.

The investigation

The sequence of events indicates that the pilot's decision to land gear-up was a direct result of the constraints imposed by the practice scenario. With an engine intentionally inoperative, the performance margins required for a safe go-around were not available once the approach deviated from standard parameters.

Findings

  • improper approach during a practice single-engine procedure
  • go-around not practical due to intentionally inoperative engine
  • landing gear-up as the only viable conclusion to the flight

Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach during a practice single-engine procedure, which necessitated a gear-up landing because a go-around was not feasible with an intentionally inoperative engine.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X32856. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.