Gear-up landing and subsequent fire involving aircraft at undisclosed location

No fatalities • Aberdeen-Amory, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft experienced a landing with its landing gear retracted, resulting in a long slide and a post-landing fire. Both crew members escaped without injury.

What happened

During an approach to the airfield, the pilot encountered heavy haze that significantly limited visibility. Due to the aircraft being at an excessive altitude and speed on the final approach, the decision was made to perform a go-around.

During the subsequent second approach, the landing gear was not deployed. The pilot later indicated that he believed the gear had already been extended prior to the second attempt. As a result, the aircraft type (unspecified) impacted the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position.

Upon touchdown, the aircraft slid for roughly 3,000 feet along the runway surface. Following this excursion, a fire ignited near the root of the right wing. Efforts to suppress the flames using portable fire extinguishers were unsuccessful. Despite the intensity of the fire, zero fatalities were reported as both the pilot and the copilot successfully evacuated the wreckage.

Findings

Investigations into the incident highlighted that the crew did not remember the process of retracting the gear during the initial approach. The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to verify the gear position during the second approach, driven by the mistaken belief that the gear was already down.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to extend the landing gear during the second approach due to a mistaken belief that it was already deployed.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-09-02 Learjet 31 accident near Aberdeen-Amory, United States of America?

An aircraft experienced a landing with its landing gear retracted, resulting in a long slide and a post-landing fire. Both crew members escaped without injury.

Were there any fatalities in the 1997-09-02 Learjet 31 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-09-02 involved a Learjet 31, registration N71JC, operated by North American Plastics, at Aberdeen-Amory, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to extend the landing gear during the second approach due to a mistaken belief that it was already deployed.

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