On 19 Nov 2008, a CESSNA 172RG operated by DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY was involved in an aviation accident near Cleveland, MS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to touchdown. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot inadvertently landed with the gear retracted during a solo training flight, causing substantial damage to the wing strut crossover bulkhead. The incident occurred after multiple touch-and-go landings amid increased traffic.
Overview
During a solo flight in preparation for a commercial rating, a pilot conducted three uneventful touch-and-go landings. The number of aircraft in the traffic pattern subsequently increased from two to four or five. The pilot sequenced between two other training flights and inadvertently did not lower the landing gear before landing.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing strut crossover bulkhead. No other aircraft or personnel were involved. The chief flight instructor for the university flight training program reported that the accident scenario will be incorporated into the curriculum for all students.