# NTSB ATL97LA131: Learjet 31, N71JC, Aberdeen, MS, September 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1997, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Aberdeen, MS - Coordinates: 33.819164, -88.550628 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8192&lon=-88.5506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3899/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA131 ## Probable cause The flightcrew's failure to extend the landing gear. ## 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, flightcrew (cause) - wheels up landing - inadvertent, flightcrew - Fire, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was high and fast on final approach, because of restricted visibility in haze, and he executed a go-around. The pilot and copilot do not recall retracting the landing gear. During the second approach, the pilot stated he did not extended the gear because he was 'sure in his mind that the gear was already down'. The airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane slid approximately 3,000 feet. Following the landing, the airplane caught fire under the right wing root, and the fire could not be extinguished with hand held fire extinguishers. Both pilots safely evacuated the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1997, about 1020 central daylight time, a Learjet 31, N71JC, landed gear up at Aberdeen, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by North American Plastics, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the corporate flight. There were no injuries to the two airline transport pilots, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Madison, Mississippi, about 0955, on the same day. According to the pilot, the airplane was high and fast on final approach, because of restricted visibility in haze, and he executed a go-around. The pilot and copilot do not recall retracting the landing gear. According to the pilot, the flightcrew always used a checklist when flying. Generally, the pilot would do the items on the checklist with the copilot following along. During the second approach, the pilot stated he did not extended the gear because he was "sure in his mind that the gear was already down". The flight crew failed to extend the landing gear, resulting in the gear up landing. The airplane slid approximately 3,000 feet. Following the landing, the airplane caught fire under the right wing root, and the fire could not be extinguished with hand held fire extinguishers. Both pilots safely evacuated the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71JC-2007-11-30), registration cancelled 2007-11-30, S/N 31008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Learjet 31 - Registry model: [Learjet 31](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-31) (registry code 5170530) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31008 - Airframe hours: 1845 - Engines: Garrett TFE731-2-38 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Registered owner: North American Plastics, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 23, 1997, 57 hours before - Departed: MBO, MADISON, MS - Airport: M40, Monroe County, runway 36, 4,801 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19,947 total, 1,860 in this make and model, 16,037 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CBM, 15 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 19970902025009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970902025009A), Sep 2, 1997: Lear 31, Aberdeen/Amory, MS, Substantial damage. High on landing approach. Went around. Beleived gear remained down. Landed gear up. Slid 3000FT and caught fire. (-23) aircraft missed approach and on go… 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.