On February 26, 1992, a Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise (registration N447AB) operated by Kathleen Keller was involved in an aviation accident near Stuttgart-Echterdingen, Germany during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to properly deploy the landing gear before touchdown. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft sustained heavy damage after landing on its belly during an approach to Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport due to an unextended undercarriage.
What happened
During an approach to Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport, an aircraft experienced a landing gear malfunction. The pilot failed to deploy the landing gear prior to the final stages of the descent. Although an attempt was made to extend the undercarriage shortly before the aircraft reached the runway, the gear remained only partially deployed.
As a result, the aircraft made contact with the runway surface on its belly. The impact caused the plane to slide for several dozen meters along the airfield before the movement ceased. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, the pilot escaped the incident without any injuries.
Findings
The primary factor in the accident was the failure to lower the landing gear during the approach phase.
The undercarriage was only partially extended at the time of touchdown.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to properly deploy the landing gear before touchdown.
