No fatalities

13 Aug 2008: PIPER PA-34-200T — Marine City Aviation — East Tawas, MI

East Tawas, MI, United States

On 13 Aug 2008, a PIPER PA-34-200T operated by Marine City Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near East Tawas, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to lower the landing gear during the before-landing checklist. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot inadvertently landed with the landing gear retracted after failing to lower it during the before-landing checklist. The aircraft sustained damage to its underside structural formers.

Sequence of Events

The flight was nearing its intended destination airport. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 26 and executed a normal approach. However, the landing gear was not extended prior to touchdown. The aircraft inadvertently landed with the gear retracted, resulting in a gear-up landing.

Damage Assessment

The gear-up landing caused damage to the airplane's external structural formers located on the bottom of the fuselage. No other damage was reported.

Pilot Account

The pilot reported that he had failed to lower the landing gear during the before-landing checklist. He also stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

Conclusion

No mechanical issues were identified as contributing to the event. The landing gear was not extended due to pilot omission during the checklist.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to lower the landing gear during the before-landing checklist.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotIncorrect use/operation

Other contributing factors

Not used/operated