On May 2, 2000, a Cessna 501 (registration N56LW) was involved in an aviation accident near Orlando, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to follow the landing checklist that resulted in the delay of lowering the landing gear before touchdown. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot silenced the landing gear warning horn en route and forgot to lower the gear; the airplane touched down with the gear in transit, causing the right landing gear to collapse.
Incident Narrative
While en route to land, the pilot silenced the landing gear warning horn. Just prior to touchdown, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear. The airplane touched down with the landing gear in transit, and the right landing gear collapsed.
Investigation
An examination and functional check of the airplane were conducted following the incident. The investigation failed to disclose any mechanical problem with the landing gear extension and retraction system. The pilot also did not report any mechanical problem with the airplane prior to or after the event.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he forgot to lower the landing gear, which is a step in the normal pre-landing checklist. This omission occurred despite the warning horn being silenced earlier in the approach.