Accident Overview
A single-engine aircraft experienced a gear-up landing following a local night flight when the landing gear did not extend. After the aircraft came to rest, it began burning and sustained extensive fire damage. The cause of the landing gear malfunction was not determined during the investigation.
Pilot and Passenger Statements
The pilot, who held only a student pilot license, took the aircraft without the owner's permission. The owner was an associate of the pilot's uncle. The pilot reported only two hours of flight time in the PA-24 aircraft model. He stated that the landing gear did not extend using either the normal or manual extension systems.
One passenger reported that he and the pilot had been drinking alcohol and then decided to go flying with two other individuals. When the gear failed to extend, the passenger saw a red handle labeled "EMERGENCY GEAR DOWN" and said, "I started to mess with it, but it did not do any good."
Police Observations and Toxicology Refusal
Local police who responded to the accident noted an odor "commonly associated with alcoholic beverages" coming from the pilot. The pilot was reminded of the Georgia implied consent warning but refused to provide a blood sample for a toxicology test.
Findings
Investigation revealed that the pilot had only a student pilot license and had taken the aircraft without the owner's permission. The owner was an associate of the pilot's uncle. The passenger confirmed that he and the pilot had been drinking before the flight. The pilot reported only two hours of flight time in the PA-24 aircraft type. The cause of the landing gear malfunction was not determined.