# NTSB ATL97LA006: Cessna 337G, N20EC, Fayetteville, NC, October 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1996, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, NC - Coordinates: 34.9608, -78.900779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9608&lon=-78.9008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3796/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA006 ## Probable cause The unapproved maintenance modification of the landing gear electrical system by maintenance personnel that prevented the extension of the landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - electrical system,electric switch - improper (cause) - maintenance,modification - not approved, other maintenance personnel (cause) - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (cause) - Wheels up landing, emergency landing ## Analysis Upon entering the traffic pattern for a full stop landing at the original destination airport, the pilot placed the landing gear extension handle in the down position, and discovered that the landing gear would not extend. The pilot flew to Fayetteville and conducted several over-flights for the control tower to check the aircraft for the landing gear extension. After three hours of flight, the pilot shut down the front engine and landed the airplane with the rear engine running. An examination of the aircraft revealed that an unauthorized on/off switch had been installed under the instrument panel for the landing gear system. According to the pilot, when the switch was placed in the on position, the landing gear would retract but would not extend. There were no write-ups in the aircraft maintenance logs or the aircraft checklist that revealed the installation of this switch. Neither the pilot nor the new owner of the airplane were aware of the unauthorized switch installation. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 1996, at 1305 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 337G , N20EC, landed gear-up on runway 28 at Fayetteville Regional Airport, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Fayetteville, at 1000. Upon entering the traffic pattern for a full stop landing, at the original destination airport, the pilot placed the landing gear extension handle in the down position, and discovered that the landing gear would not extend. The pilot radioed Fayetteville approach control and advised air traffic controllers of his problem. The pilot flew to Fayetteville and conducted several over-flights to check for the landing gear extension. After three hours of flight, the pilot shut down the front engine and made a gear up landing with the rear engine running. An examination of the aircraft revealed that an unauthorized on/off switch for the landing gear system had been installed under the instrument panel. According to the pilot, when the switch was placed in the on position, the landing gear would retract but would not extend. There were no write-ups in the aircraft maintenance logs or the aircraft checklist that revealed the installation of this switch. Neither the pilot nor the new owner of the airplane were aware of the unauthorized switch installation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20EC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20EC-2023-01-02), registration cancelled 2023-01-02, S/N 33701654, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 337G - Registry model: [Cessna 337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337g) (registry code 2075730) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33701654 - Airframe hours: 2140 - Engines: Continental IO-360-G 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rodney K Flack - Registered owner: Philip Kropp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: FAY - Airport: FAY, Fayetteville Regional, runway 28, 4,802 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,730 total, 6 in this make and model, 6,451 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAY, 360 nm away ## 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 19961013035719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961013035719A), Oct 13, 1996: Cessna 337G, Fayetteville, NC, Substantial damage. Unable to extend gear for landing. Landed gear up. Unauthorized gear on/off switch under panel was unknown to pilot 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.