No fatalities

13 Feb 2019: Cessna 172RG No Series — Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed a retractable landing gear airplane with the gear retracted after hearing an alert horn and misinterpreting gauges. An iPad blocked the gear position light. The pilot felt rushed and mistakenly believed he was in a fixed-gear aircraft.

Incident Overview

A pilot flying an airplane equipped with retractable landing gear reported that during the approach to landing, he noticed he was a little high. He reduced engine power to idle and subsequently heard an alert horn. Scanning the engine gauges quickly, he observed that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication." The pilot considered performing a go-around but decided to continue the landing and assess the situation on the ground. The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted.

Contributing Circumstances

The pilot noted that his iPad, which was positioned on the yoke, obstructed his view of the landing gear position light. He further stated that leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast-paced and he felt rushed, which led him to assume he was operating his typical fixed-landing-gear airplane.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage as a result of landing with the gear retracted. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Not used/operatedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on personnel