No fatalities

PIPER PA-30 accident at Houston, TX, 16 Dec 2021

Houston, TX, United States

On December 16, 2021, a PIPER PA-30 operated by GARDNER JAMES R was involved in an aviation accident near Houston, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The instructed pilot and the flight instructor’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing resulting in a wheels up 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

Probable cause

The instructed pilot and the flight instructor’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing resulting in a wheels up landing.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilotNot used/operated

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Dec 2021 PIPER PA-30 accident near Houston, TX?

The instructed pilot and the flight instructor’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing resulting in a wheels up landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Dec 2021 PIPER PA-30 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Dec 2021 involved a PIPER PA-30, operated by GARDNER JAMES R, at Houston, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The instructed pilot and the flight instructor’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing resulting in a wheels up landing.