# NTSB CEN12CA406: Piper PA-24, N6580P, Watertown, WI, July 1, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2012, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, WI
- Coordinates: 43.169445, -88.723052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1694&lon=-88.7231&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA406
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84133/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84133
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA406

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he forgot to extend the landing gear prior to landing on the runway. The airplane touched down and slid to a stop. A postimpact fire ensued, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he forgot to extend the landing gear, prior to landing on the runway. The airplane touched down and slid to a stop. Following the landing, a postimpact fire ensued, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6580P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6580P-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 24-1702, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1702
- Airframe hours: 5844
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2012
- Departed: KUES, Waukesha, WI
- Destination: KRYV, Watertown, WI
- Airport: KRYV, Watertown Municipal Airport, runway 05, 4,429 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KRYV

## 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 20120701014139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120701014139A), Jul 1, 2012: Piper PA-24, Watertown, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot was the sole occupant of aircraft. Pilot reported he flew normal traffic pattern for landing on runway 5 at Watertown Municipal Airport (kryv). Pilot…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84133. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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