On July 31, 1991, a Piper PA-31-325 (registration N300HF) operated by Tomark Industries, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Spartanburg, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane landed with its landing gear retracted. A witness observed the gear was up on short final. After the aircraft slid to a stop, the pilot exited and the gear handle was down, but the gear had not extended. Post-accident inspection showed normal gear function.
Incident Overview
The airplane was landed with the landing gear retracted. A witness who worked in the airport manager's office noted that the landing gear was up when the airplane was on short final approach.
Post-Landing Observations
The airport manager noted that the landing gear handle was down when the pilot exited the airplane after it slid to a stop. Normally, the gear handle returns to neutral when the gear fully extends. Its position indicated that the gear handle was lowered after landing.
Inspection Findings
An FAA inspector examined the landing gear after the accident and noted that it functioned normally.