# NTSB CEN24LA375: Bellanca 14 19, N8851R, Cortez, CO, September 29, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 29, 2024, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Cortez, CO - Coordinates: 37.304433, -108.62665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3044&lon=-108.6266&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195226/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195226 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA375 ## 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. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/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: [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a straight in landing he forgot to perform his before landing checklist because he had not flown the standard traffic pattern. The airplane contacted the runway surface with the landing gear in the retracted position and came to rest on the runway. The pilot reported that he saw smoke and exited the airplane before a post-crash fire ensued which destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8851R (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14 19 (3) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 76105-9-F - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Contential IO-470-F 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 2024 - Departed: DRD, Durango, CO - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CEZ, Cortez Municipal, runway 21, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,000 total, 120 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KCEZ - METAR: KCEZ 292053Z AUTO 27007KT 10SM CLR 28/04 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP152 T02780039 58023 $= ## 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 20240929019639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240929019639A), Sep 29, 2024: Bellanca 14-19-3, Cortez, CO, Destroyed. The private pilot landed without deploying the landing gear. The aircraft landed with the landing gear in the retract position. The aircraft skidded to a stop… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195226. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18132705&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18132240&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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. --- 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.