- Date
- July 14, 2009, 13:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place
- West Chicago, IL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N3714TPiper PA-28R-201
- Defining event
- Landing: Landing gear not configured
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 30, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Case key
- 74275
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear resulting in a wheels-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot being distracted by mowers near the approach end of the runway.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was performing a practice engine-out short approach as part of his pattern work. He went through his pre-landing checklist on downwind and noticed tractor mowers near the runway. During the approach he divided his attention between the "aimpoint," airspeed, and tractors next to the runway and "failed" to put the landing gear down. The airplane landed wheels up on the runway and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions associated with the airplane.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was doing a practice engine-out short approach as part of his pattern work. He went through his "GUMPS" checklist on downwind and noticed mowers near the runway. During the approach he divided his attention between the "aimpoint, airspeed, and tractors" next to the runway and "failed" to put the landing gear down. The airplane landed wheels up on the runway and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions associated with the airplane reference the accident flight.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3714T
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28R-201
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2844104
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-360-C1C6, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Illinois Avaition Academy Inc.
- Registered owner
- Midwest Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- DPA · West Chicago, IL
- Destination
- DPA · West Chicago, IL
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- DPA · DuPage Airport, runway 20L
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 64
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 950 total · 203 in this make and model · 749 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.10 inHg
- Observed at
- DPA
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2009, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 6.9 MB in all.