Casualties unknown

Intentional Gear-Up Landing After Extension Failure at Opa Locka Airport (N401NA)

Opa Locka, FL, US

On April 25, 1986, a Cessna 402B (registration N401NA) operated by Caribbean Express was involved in an aviation accident near Opa Locka, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The landing gear would not extend because the down limit micro switch was stuck in the open position, preventing electrical power to the gear motor, and the emergency manual crank system was inoperative due to a disconnected drive chain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 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

A pilot intentionally landed with the gear retracted at Opa Locka Airport after the landing gear failed to extend. Investigation found a stuck micro switch and disconnected emergency drive chain.

Incident Summary

A pilot reported that upon arrival at the intended destination, the landing gear would not extend. He subsequently returned to Opa Locka Airport, where he executed an intentional gear-up landing.

Investigation Findings

Post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed that the landing gear system was unable to operate normally. The down limit micro switch was stuck in the open position, which prevented electrical power from reaching the gear motor to move the gear to the down position. Additionally, the emergency manual crank system was inoperative because the drive chain was disconnected.

Technical Details

The investigation determined that the gear could not be lowered through normal electrical means due to the micro switch malfunction. The disconnected drive chain also rendered the manual emergency extension system ineffective, leaving the pilot with no alternative means to deploy the landing gear.

Probable cause

The landing gear would not extend because the down limit micro switch was stuck in the open position, preventing electrical power to the gear motor, and the emergency manual crank system was inoperative due to a disconnected drive chain.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X33364. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.