PIPER PA24
Lake Tahoe, CA — October 21, 2012
Event Information
| Date | October 21, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR13CA021 |
| Event ID | 20121023X54253 |
| Location | Lake Tahoe, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.89389, -119.99528 |
| Airport | South Lake Tahoe |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA24 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was extended before landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he retracted the landing gear following an aborted landing due to traffic on the active runway. He stated that on his second approach he carried power due to the gusty wind condition, but during the landing flare he realized that he had failed to extend the landing gear. The pilot further said that after he realized that the landing gear was not extended he added full power; however, the airplane impacted the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position. He added that he did not follow the checklist and that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn during his approach. When informed that the throttle position to activate the landing gear warning horn was only about one-half inch beyond the full aft idle position, the pilot indicated that he had not retarded the throttle that far. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its undercarriage as a result of the abnormal runway contact.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.