Casualties unknown

2005-09-07: Piper PA-44-180 (N291ND) — Fertile, MN

Fertile, MN, US

On September 7, 2005, a Piper PA-44-180 (registration N291ND) was involved in an aviation accident near Fertile, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flightcrew's failure to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. 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

During a single-engine approach and landing training flight, the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The flight instructor noted that a midfield check was performed but not verified, and the gear warning horn had been sounding for so long during airwork that it went unnoticed.

Incident Overview

An instructional flight ended with a gear-up landing after the airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted. The flight instructor was conducting training on single-engine approaches and landings when the accident occurred.

Instructor's Account

The flight instructor reported that a "midfield check was done and said, but was not verified." The instructor further stated that "since we had heard the gear warning horn for so long during the airwork, I no longer noticed anymore." The instructor acknowledged that they "did not do our final landing check" and that the airplane landed with "the gear in the up position."

Circumstances

The flight was being conducted under instructional conditions, with the instructor and presumably a student pilot on board. The specific aircraft type, registration, and other details were not included in the report.

The gear warning horn, which typically sounds when the landing gear is not down and locked, had been audible during the airwork phase. The instructor indicated that the prolonged exposure to the horn led to a lack of awareness of its activation during the approach.

The failure to complete a final landing checklist contributed to the landing gear remaining retracted throughout the touchdown.

Conclusion

The airplane sustained damage from the gear-up landing. No injuries were reported in the source. The incident highlights the importance of checklist verification and awareness of warning systems.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051005X01585. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.