# NTSB CHI98LA113: Cessna 310R, N3700G, Sioux Falls, SD, March 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1998, 04:05 local (10:05 UTC) - Place: Sioux Falls, SD - Location: 43.5820° N, 96.7419° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JOE FOSS FLD (FSD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5820&lon=-96.7419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10843/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA113 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for landing. Factors associated with the accident were: the crosswind, and the pilot not following his normal habit pattern of lowering the landing gear on base leg. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - performed, pilot in command - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that due to the gusty crosswind conditions, he made a single 180 degree turn from downwind to final during an approach to land on runway 21. He reported that he normally lowered the landing gear on base leg. Also, he indicated that because he did not fly a normal traffic pattern, (his habit pattern was interupted, and) he failed to extend the landing gear. The airplane touched down on the runway with the landing gear retraced. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1998, at 0405 central standard time, a Cessna 310R, N3700G, U.S. Check flight 291, operated by Airnet Systems, Inc., collided with the terrain during a gear-up landing at the Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 135, cargo flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from Des Moines, Iowa, at 0253 cst. The pilot reported he checked the weather conditions 15 to 20 minutes prior to reaching his destination airport. The winds at that time were being reported as gusty and variable, favoring runway 21. He continued to report that upon reaching the airport, he entered a left downwind for runway 21 at mid-field. He reported he adjusted for the crosswind condition, but his corrections were not enough. This resulted in him making a single 180 degree turn from downwind to final approach. He reported, "By making a single turn to final, I broke out of my usual habit of lowering the gear on the base leg. Once on final, I was occupied with correcting my flight path to attain runway centerline and the proper glide path (as per VASIs)." The airplane was landed with the landing gear in the retracted position. The pilot reported he did not recall hearing a landing gear warning horn when he retarded the throttles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3700G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3700G-2010-07-30), registration cancelled 2010-07-30, S/N 310R0899, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310R - Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-m) (registry code 17233, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0899 - Airframe hours: 12820 - Engines: Continental IO-520-M1B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Airnet Systems - Registered owner: Airnet Systems, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA - Destination: FSD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FSD, Joe Foss Field, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,455 total, 482 in this make and model, 2,362 as pilot in command, 341 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 250° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980326013539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980326013539A), Mar 26, 1998: Cessna 310R, Sioux Falls, SD, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Pilot error. (.4)the pilot reported that due to the gusty crosswind conditions, he made a single 180 degree turn from downwind to final during… ## Other investigations on N3700G (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN07CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA087), Apr 27, 2007: Cessna 310R (N3700G), Hatch, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inattentiveness to the fuel flow and fuel selector valve position resulting in fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow proper engine failure procedures,… 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.