# NTSB ANC97LA069: Piper PA-31-350, N59985, Selawik, AK, April 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1997, 16:15 local (Apr 26, 1997, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Selawik, AK - Coordinates: 66.59095, -160.020004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.5910&lon=-160.0200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3002/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while in the landing pattern. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported he was in the airport traffic pattern preparing for a full stop landing. While accomplishing his prelanding check list, his attention was diverted by a departing airplane. When he reduced engine power just prior to touchdown, he heard the gear warning horn sound, but was unable to react in time to prevent a wheels up landing. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1997, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-31-350 airplane, N59985, operated by Yute Air as Flight 905, sustained substantial damage during a gear up landing at the Selawik Airport, Selawik, Alaska. The solo airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 scheduled commuter flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. A company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect. The pilot reported to the NTSB he transmitted his position on a common traffic advisory frequency as he entered a left downwind for runway 3 at the Selawik airstrip. The pilot wrote: "As the pilot was reaching for the landing gear lever, another aircraft on the ground called requesting the position of the incoming aircraft. The pilot responded to the caller and completed the check list. The aircraft continued the approach and landed on runway 3 with the landing gear in the up position." The pilot also noted in his report to the NTSB that there was no prelanding mechanical difficulties or malfunction with the airplane. According to the Director of Operations for Yute Air, the pilot told him he forgot to put the landing gear down, and that the gear warning horn activated just as he reduced power and the airplane settled onto the gravel runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage belly bulkheads. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59985](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59985-2013-04-10), registration cancelled 2013-04-10, S/N 31-7552077, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-7552077 - Airframe hours: 9948 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Yute Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1997, 86 hours before - Departed: IAN, KIANA, AK - Destination: WLK - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: WLK, Selawik, runway 3, 3,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,820 total, 456 in this make and model, 3,381 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970425026969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970425026969A), Apr 25, 1997: Piper PA31350, Selawik, AK, Substantial damage. Distracted on final failed extend gear for landing. Gear horn blew on flare as power reduced. ## Other investigations on N59985 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC99LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA045), Apr 11, 1999: Piper PA-31-350 (N59985), Chevak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors in the accident were a tail wind condition, and the presence of snow… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.