On March 6, 2004, a Beech V35B (registration N4010A) was involved in an aviation accident near Bay St. Louis, MS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear during the approach, attributed to distraction by other air traffic. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a practice precision instrument approach, the pilot became distracted by nearby air traffic and failed to lower the landing gear before touchdown.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a practice precision instrument landing when the incident occurred. According to the pilot's statement, his attention was diverted by the presence of two airplanes and two helicopters in the vicinity. This distraction caused him to overlook a critical pre-landing checklist item. Consequently, he did not lower the landing gear before touching down on the runway.
The pilot confirmed that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft or any of its systems prior to the accident. The sequence of events indicates that the failure to extend the landing gear was a direct result of inattention rather than equipment malfunction.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear during the approach, attributed to distraction by other air traffic.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 6 Mar 2004 Beech V35B accident near Bay St. Louis, MS?
During a practice precision instrument approach, the pilot became distracted by nearby air traffic and failed to lower the landing gear before touchdown.
Were there any fatalities in the 6 Mar 2004 Beech V35B accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 6 Mar 2004 involved a Beech V35B, registration N4010A, at Bay St. Louis, MS.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear during the approach, attributed to distraction by other air traffic.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…