On May 30, 1990, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N62869) operated by Pullen Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Plainfield, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSURE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that during a VFR traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport in dark night conditions, he was distracted and failed to ensure the landing gear was extended and locked before touchdown. The gear handle was not moved far enough, and the warning horn was found to operate intermittently.
Incident Description
A pilot reported an occurrence in which the aircraft touched down with the landing gear not extended and locked. The event took place while the pilot was flying a VFR traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport during dark night conditions.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, he became distracted from his normal procedures and checklists while in the traffic pattern. He was concerned with making a decent landing from a steeper-than-normal approach at an unfamiliar airport. The pilot stated that he moved the landing gear selector handle down, but did not move it far enough to activate the gear extension mechanism. He did not check for the three green lights indicating the gear was down and locked until he heard a scraping noise as the aircraft touched down.
Mechanical Condition
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the landing gear warning horn operated intermittently due to dirty contact points.