Gear-up landing during approach to White Plains

No fatalities • White Plains-Westchester County, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

A business flight traveling from New Hampshire ended in a gear-up landing near White Plains, New York, after the pilot failed to confirm landing gear extension.

What happened

A cross-country business flight departing from Concord, New Hampshire, was proceeding toward White Plains, New York, under favorable weather conditions with clear skies. As the aircraft prepared for its final approach, the pilot attempted to deploy the landing gear. However, due to a tripped circuit breaker, the extension process was unsuccessful.

The aircraft subsequently performed a landing with the gear retracted, though the gear doors remained partially open upon impact. There were no fatalities or injuries reported in the incident. The pilot later acknowledged that the standard procedure of verifying the three green lights on the instrument panel had not been completed.

Findings

Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors regarding the mechanical and operational state of the aircraft. It was determined that the landing gear extension assembly was inoperative, specifically because a circuit breaker had popped, preventing the gear from deploying. Additionally, the gear warning horn failed to activate during the approach.

Ultimately, the investigation concluded that the pilot did not follow the established checklist, which would have identified the failure to extend the gear before touchdown.

Probable cause

The landing gear failed to extend due to a tripped circuit breaker and the pilot's failure to verify the gear position via the cockpit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1987-12-07 Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise accident near White Plains-Westchester County, United States of America?

A business flight traveling from New Hampshire ended in a gear-up landing near White Plains, New York, after the pilot failed to confirm landing gear extension.

Were there any fatalities in the 1987-12-07 Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1987-12-07 involved a Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise, registration N866Q, operated by Richard R. Hough (RRH Inc.), at White Plains-Westchester County, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The landing gear failed to extend due to a tripped circuit breaker and the pilot's failure to verify the gear position via the cockpit checklist.

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