On September 15, 2005, a Beech 95-B55 (registration N127F) operated by Curtis Norton was involved in an aviation accident near Porterville, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot failed to extend the landing gear before landing, resulting in damage to ribs in the belly section. The pilot had retracted the gear during a traffic pattern change due to a wind shift.
Accident Details
The pilot initially entered the landing pattern for runway 12, which was the active runway in use. After the pilot was established in the pattern, the wind changed and an airplane departed runway 30. The pilot decided to change his landing pattern and crossed midfield, entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 30.
Sequence of Events
Upon entering the downwind leg for runway 30, the pilot retracted the landing gear to reduce the required engine performance for the airplane. The pilot then turned base and final while extending the flaps. However, the pilot failed to lower the landing gear prior to landing on the runway.
Damage
As a result of landing without the gear extended, ribs in the belly section of the airplane were damaged. No mechanical anomalies were reported.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing.