Landing gear retraction incident during approach

No fatalities • Blythe, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft experienced a landing gear deployment failure during its approach, leading to a touchdown with the gear retracted.

What happened

During an approach to the airport, the pilot encountered a technical issue where the flaps failed to lock into the 20-degree extended position. In response to this difficulty, the pilot opted to perform a landing without the use of flaps and began following the appropriate emergency procedures. While reviewing the emergency checklist, the pilot mistakenly believed the landing gear had already been deployed and secured. Consequently, the pilot focused on maintaining a stabilized approach and failed to verify the gear status. The aircraft type touched down on the runway with the landing gear still in the retracted position.

Findings

Investigations into the incident revealed that the pilot failed to lower the landing gear before contacting the runway. Post-flight inspections of the aircraft's landing gear system showed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Furthermore, subsequent ground testing of the flaps did not replicate the failure that had occurred during the flight, suggesting the flap issue may have been an isolated occurrence.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to properly verify the landing gear position while distracted by an ongoing flap deployment issue.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-03-11 Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise accident near Blythe, United States of America?

An aircraft experienced a landing gear deployment failure during its approach, leading to a touchdown with the gear retracted.

Were there any fatalities in the 2005-03-11 Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-03-11 involved a Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise, registration N333WF, operated by Jaax Flying Service, at Blythe, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to properly verify the landing gear position while distracted by an ongoing flap deployment issue.

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