Casualties unknown

2000-08-13: Cessna 310D (N6981T) — Watkins, CO

Watkins, CO, US

On August 13, 2000, a Cessna 310D (registration N6981T) was involved in an aviation accident near Watkins, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during the approach, which was attributed to his distraction by another aircraft and an abnormal descent instruction from air traffic control. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot conducting a cross-country flight forgot to lower the landing gear after receiving an unusual descent instruction from air traffic control and becoming distracted by another aircraft.

What happened

The incident occurred at the conclusion of a cross-country flight. During the approach phase, Air Traffic Control issued an abnormal descent instruction to the pilot. At this critical moment, the pilot's attention was diverted by another aircraft that was waiting on the ground to depart.

Due to this distraction and the unexpected clearance, the pilot failed to lower the landing gear. He later reported hearing an oral warning device just prior to touchdown. At the time, he mistakenly believed the sound was a stall warning rather than a gear configuration alert.

The investigation

Post-accident analysis focused on the sequence of events leading to the gear-up landing. The primary finding was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during the final approach segment.

Findings

Contributing factors included the abnormal descent instruction from Air Traffic Control and the visual distraction caused by another aircraft. The pilot's misinterpretation of the audible warning as a stall alert further complicated the situation, preventing corrective action before impact.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during the approach, which was attributed to his distraction by another aircraft and an abnormal descent instruction from air traffic control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21710. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.