Casualties unknown

Nose Landing Gear Uplocked During Landing on Short Final (N229AM)

Fargo, ND, US

On May 17, 1996, a Swearingen SA226TC (registration N229AM) operated by Airvantage, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Fargo, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the flight crew did not comply with the gear down and lock checklist. The factors were a jammed nose gear and inattentive preflight planning/preparations by the pilot-in-command. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed with the nose landing gear uplocked after an incomplete before-landing checklist. Maintenance records showed prior unresolved nose gear uplock issues resolved by free-falling the gear.

Incident Summary

During an approach on short final, the pilot-in-command landed the aircraft with the nose landing gear still in the uplocked position. The landing gear failed to extend fully, resulting in a landing with the nose gear retracted.

Background

Maintenance logbook entries documented several undetermined nose gear uplock conditions on previous flights. In those instances, flight crews had to lower the nose gear by free-falling it. All preceding flights were uneventful until this particular flight.

Cockpit Voice Recorder

A transcript from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) indicated that the before-landing checklist was not completed correctly. During the landing gear challenge-and-reply checklist, a crew member was recorded saying, "landing gear coming down," while a horn beeped in the background. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) specifies the procedure: "landing gear—down." However, there was no report of three green lights confirming the gear was down and locked.

Checklist Issues

The incomplete checklist execution meant the required verification of the landing gear position was omitted. The horn beep, typically indicating the gear is not down and locked, was audible but did not prompt corrective action. The POH emphasises that a verbal confirmation of three green lights is part of the standard landing gear extension procedure.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05723. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.