Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Gear Retracted on Final, Prop Strike, and Stall During Go-Around (N3424B)

Decatur, AR, US

On July 15, 2000, a Beech D35 (registration N3424B) was involved in an aviation accident near Decatur, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The inadvertent stall while maneuvering to avoid obstructions during a forced landing. A factor was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to the propeller blades striking the runway. 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A pilot reported that upon short final, he realized the landing gear handle was retracted. He initiated a go-around while hearing a scraping sound consistent with a prop strike. During the go-around, the airplane would not climb; after attempting to clear trees, it stalled and impacted the ground.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot, he established visual contact with the destination airport while still several miles away. He then flew a left base for runway 31, noting that he was close in and hurried to configure the airplane for the turn to final.

Final Approach and Gear-Up Condition

On short final, the pilot observed that the airplane was traveling at an extremely high speed and remarked to his passenger that 'something was not right.' He then noticed that the landing gear handle was in the retracted position and immediately initiated a go-around. At the same time, he heard a scraping noise, which he believed indicated that the propeller had contacted the runway.

Go-Around and Subsequent Stall

During the go-around, the pilot found that the airplane was unable to maintain a positive rate of climb. He then initiated an approach to a field but pulled up to clear trees. Subsequently, the airplane stalled, impacted the ground, and came to rest upright.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21466. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.