Casualties unknown

Landing Gear Collapse After Pilot Skips Manual Extension Procedures (N980AC)

Naples, FL, US

On September 8, 1999, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N980AC) was involved in an aviation accident near Naples, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to perform manual gear extension procedures with a suspected unsafe landing gear indication which resulted in a collapse of the main landing gear on landing rollout. 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 did not perform manual gear extension after landing gear malfunction indications, continued landing, and the gear collapsed during rollout.

Accident Overview

During a landing, the pilot completed a before-landing check and lowered the landing gear. She did not observe a green indicator light and recycled the landing gear with negative results. After contacting the control tower, she was advised that a medical evacuation aircraft was nearby. Both the medical evacuation pilot and the tower subsequently reported that the landing gear appeared to be down.

Pilot Actions and Outcome

Despite the apparent confirmation, the pilot did not perform the manual gear extension procedures listed in the checklist and continued with the landing. During the landing rollout, the landing gear collapsed.

Post-Accident Examination

Examination of the airplane revealed that the navigation lights were on. When the navigation lights were turned off, the landing gear indicator light went to the full bright position. When the navigation lights were turned on, the landing gear light dimmed for night operation. The airplane was placed on jacks and the landing gear was extended using the manual gear extension. A functional check of the landing gear warning horn and light system was completed with negative results.

Pilot Experience

The pilot received a 1.2 hour checkout in the airplane before the accident flight.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19837. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.