Casualties unknown

Gear-Up Landing After Repeated Warning Horn and Landing Gear Malfunction (N1770M)

Cherry Point, NC, US

On July 4, 1986, a Cessna 337F (registration N1770M) was involved in an aviation accident near Cherry Point, NC. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced a gear unsafe warning horn after takeoff, landed, and took off again. After the horn recurred, the crew silenced it with a paper strip. The landing gear then failed to extend, resulting in a gear-up landing on grass.

Incident Summary

Following takeoff, when the pilot moved the gear selector handle to the up position, the landing gear unsafe warning horn activated. The pilot reported a stall warning horn to air traffic control and returned to the airport for a landing. After an inspection revealed no anomalies with the aircraft, the pilot departed again.

Recurrence and Attempted Suppression

Shortly after the second takeoff, the warning horn sounded again. To silence the horn, the pilot and one of the passengers took turns holding the test button in. Eventually, they placed a piece of paper under the button, which successfully stopped the horn.

Landing Gear Failure and Gear-Up Landing

When the pilot later attempted to extend the landing gear using normal procedures, the gear would not lower. The alternate and emergency extension systems also failed to deploy the landing gear. A gear-up landing was performed on grass. The aircraft sustained damage as a result.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Jul 1986 Cessna 337F accident near Cherry Point, NC?

A pilot experienced a gear unsafe warning horn after takeoff, landed, and took off again. After the horn recurred, the crew silenced it with a paper strip. The landing gear then failed to extend, resulting in a gear-up landing on grass.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Jul 1986 involved a Cessna 337F, registration N1770M, at Cherry Point, NC.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X34072. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.