No fatalities

Pilot Lands With Gear Retracted After Distraction From Moose on Runway

Homer, AK, United States

On May 17, 2015, a PIPER PA 31-350 350 operated by Alaska Air Transit was involved in an aviation accident near Homer, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot became distracted trying to avoid wake turbulence and monitor the location of the vehicle and moose and failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A retractable landing gear-equipped, twin engine airplane landed with gear retracted after the pilot became distracted by a moose on the runway and wake turbulence, causing substantial damage.

Incident Overview

A pilot of a retractable landing gear-equipped, twin engine airplane was on final approach to an uncontrolled airport. During the approach, another airplane that had landed ahead reported a moose near the runway. An airport maintenance person then announced on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that they were attempting to chase the moose off the runway.

Distractions and Landing

The pilot became distracted by the need to avoid wake turbulence from the preceding airplane and to monitor the locations of both the maintenance vehicle and the moose. As a result, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing. During touchdown, the airplane contacted the runway with the landing gear still retracted. The aircraft then slid approximately 1,200 feet before coming to a stop.

Damage and Pilot Statement

The fuselage of the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

The pilot became distracted trying to avoid wake turbulence and monitor the location of the vehicle and moose and failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing.

Contributing factors

PilotNot used/operated