# NTSB ERA09CA071: Cessna 172RG, N941SM, Cleveland, MS, November 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 19, 2008, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, MS - Coordinates: 33.761112, -90.757774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7611&lon=-90.7578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69506/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear selector](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a solo flight in preparation for a commercial rating. After three uneventful touch-and-go landings, the number of airplanes in the pattern increased from two to four or five. The pilot sequenced himself between two other training flights and inadvertently failed to lower the landing gear prior to landing. Substantial damage to the wing strut crossover bulkhead resulted. The chief flight instructor for the university flight training program reported that the accident scenario will be incorporated into the curriculum for all students. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing a solo flight in preparation for a commercial rating. After three uneventful touch-and-go landings, the number of airplanes in the pattern increased from two to four or five. The pilot sequenced himself between two other training flights and inadvertently failed to lower the landing gear prior to landing. Substantial damage to the wing strut crossover bulkhead resulted. The chief flight instructor for the university flight training program reported that the accident scenario will be incorporated into the curriculum for all students. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N941SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N941SM), registered now, S/N 172RG0278 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0278 - Airframe hours: 6144 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Delta State University - Registered owner: Delta State University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 2008, 13 hours before - Departed: RNV, Cleveland, MS - Destination: RNV, Cleveland, MS - Airport: RNV, Cleveland Municipal Airport, runway 17, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 291 total, 23 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KRNV ## 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 20081119851409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081119851409A), Nov 19, 2008: Cessna 172RG, Cleveland, MS, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot landed with gear in up position. Pilot stated he did not recall hearing the warning horn prior to landing. 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.