No fatalities

Pilot Lands with Gear Retracted During Engine-Out Practice

Burnet, TX, United States

On October 15, 2016, a BELLANCA 17 30 A operated by ECLIPSE ACQUISITIONS LLC. was involved in an aviation accident near Burnet, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to continue the unstabilized approach and his failure to extend the landing gear before landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During the fourth engine-out practice landing, a high performance complex airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted, skidded off the runway, and impacted a runway light, sustaining substantial left wing damage.

Accident Details

A pilot of a high performance complex airplane was conducting engine-out practice landings. During the fourth such landing, the airplane was described by the pilot as "high and fast" on approach. The pilot elected not to perform a go-around in order to maintain training realism. The approach continued, and the pilot reported feeling "behind the airplane." The airplane touched down with the landing gear still retracted.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that after touchdown, the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and struck a runway light. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing as a result of the impact with the runway light.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedNot used/operated

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Oct 2016 BELLANCA 17 30 A accident near Burnet, TX?

During the fourth engine-out practice landing, a high performance complex airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted, skidded off the runway, and impacted a runway light, sustaining substantial left wing damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Oct 2016 BELLANCA 17 30 A accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 Oct 2016 involved a BELLANCA 17 30 A, operated by ECLIPSE ACQUISITIONS LLC., at Burnet, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s decision to continue the unstabilized approach and his failure to extend the landing gear before landing.