Casualties unknown

Gear-Up Landing After Pilot Forgets to Lower Landing Gear (N1834Z)

Pacoima, CA, US

On July 28, 1997, a Beech V35B (registration N1834Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Pacoima, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot forgot to lower the landing gear. 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 reported landing gear up after forgetting to lower it during a closed traffic circuit. No pre-existing mechanical anomalies were found.

Incident Summary

A pilot involved in a gear-up landing reported that he had been cleared by the tower for closed traffic. After reporting downwind abeam the tower, he prepared the aircraft for landing. The pilot stated that he firmly believed he had completed the GUMP check—a memory aid for landing gear, undercarriage, mixture, and propeller/propulsion. However, during the approach, he turned base to final, set up his approach speed, and subsequently landed with the gear retracted.

Pilot Account

In an interview, the pilot stated that he simply forgot to lower the gear. He expressed that he had intended to do so but the action was not carried out during the landing sequence.

Aircraft Inspection

Following the incident, an inspection of the aircraft was conducted. No pre-existing anomalies or mechanical malfunctions were noted. The aircraft was found to be in normal operating condition aside from the damage sustained from the gear-up landing.

Conclusion

The event was attributed solely to pilot error, specifically the omission of lowering the landing gear prior to touchdown.

Probable cause

The pilot forgot to lower the landing gear.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08446. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.