# NTSB DEN05CA134: Eclipse HXB, N505EA, Albuquerque, NM, September 3, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2005, 11:52 local (17:52 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.040279, -106.609169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0403&lon=-106.6092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: ABQ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62417/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62417 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA134 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to complete the before landing checklist. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that on downwind for runway 03, he was asked by the tower to "fly a short approach for spacing." The pilot deviated from his normal checklist habit pattern and he admitted that he "forgot to lower the landing gear and complete the landing checklist." Due to the developmental nature of the Eclipse 500, the landing gear warning system was not operational at the time of the accident. While the airplane was skidding to a stop on the runway, the pilot shut down both engines. Post accident examination by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the bottom of the composite fuselage. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2005, at 1152 mountain daylight time, an Eclipse Aviation Corporation 500, N505EA, serial number 005, operated by Eclipse Aviation, was substantially damaged when it landed gear up at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico. The two commercial pilots sustained no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a visual flight rules flight plan. The local test flight originated at ABQ approximately 1030. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he stated, "we executed two normal touch and go landings, using the approach and landing checklist on downwind". He stated that these takeoffs and landings were uneventful. while on downwind for runway 03, he was asked by the air traffic control tower to "fly a short approach for spacing." During the shortened approach, the pilot deviated from his normal checklist habit pattern and he admitted that he "forgot to lower the landing gear and complete the landing checklist." Due to the developmental nature of the Eclipse 500, the landing gear warning system was not operational at the time of the accident and the pilot was not warned of his configuration prior to landing. While the airplane was skidding to a stop on the runway, the pilot shut down both engines. Post accident examination by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the bottom of the composite fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: N505EA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Eclipse Aviation HXB - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 005 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 6/0 F/A 900 lbs thrust turbo fan; Pratt & Whitney 6/0 F/A 900 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eclipse Aviation Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, September 1, 2005, 0 hours before - Departed: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque International Sunp, runway 03, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 11,450 total, 20 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 23; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62417. 288 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411323&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. --- 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.