Casualties unknown

2002-03-23: Piper PA-31-325 (N49RB) — Twin Air — Fort Laudedale, FL

Fort Laudedale, FL, US

On March 23, 2002, a Piper PA-31-325 (registration N49RB) operated by Twin Air was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Laudedale, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear after being distracted by radio traffic congestion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot forgot to lower the landing gear after missing the tower's landing clearance due to radio traffic congestion. The wheels-up warning horn was found operable.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot, during the approach to the landing airport, the pilot missed the tower's call for landing clearance because of radio traffic congestion. The pilot's attempts to confirm clearance were continually blocked by other transmissions. The pilot completed all before-landing checklist items except the landing gear. After finally obtaining landing clearance on short final approach, the pilot forgot to lower the landing gear, resulting in a wheels-up landing.

Postcrash Examination

A postcrash examination of the wheels-up warning circuit revealed that the warning horn was operable, indicating that the warning system was functional at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause

The probable cause, based on the pilot's account, is that the pilot failed to lower the landing gear due to distraction caused by radio communication congestion, which led to missing the landing clearance and subsequent oversight of the landing gear extension.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020327X00408. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.