# NTSB ERA09CA234: Cessna 172RG, N6208V, Charleston, SC, April 5, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 5, 2009, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Coordinates: 32.700832, -80.002777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7008&lon=-80.0028&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA234

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the diversion of the pilot's attention to an airplane on a converging final approach course.

## 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: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Air traffic event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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

While practicing a "power off 180 degree accuracy landing," the certificated private pilot became distracted in the traffic pattern by a converging airplane on approach to a different runway at the same airport. The accident airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The accident pilot had not lowered the gear on the downwind leg; instead, he intended to lower the gear on final, when "he was sure [he] had the runway made." According to the airplane's information manual, the accident airplane was equipped with an audio warning system which was designed to sound whenever the throttle was retarded below 12 inches of manifold pressure. The accident pilot stated that he did not notice the landing gear warning tone until after the airplane stopped on the ground. Most of the accident pilot's instruction in complex airplanes was not conducted in the accident airplane.

## Factual narrative

While practicing a "power off 180 degree accuracy landing," the certificated private pilot became distracted in the traffic pattern by a converging airplane on approach to a different runway at the same airport. The accident airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The accident pilot had not lowered the gear on the downwind leg; instead he intended to lower the gear on final, when "he was sure [he] had the runway made." According to the airplane's information manual, the accident airplane was equipped with an audio warning system which was designed to sound whenever the throttle was retarded below 12 inches of manifold pressure. The accident pilot stated that he did not notice the landing gear warning tone until after the airplane stopped on the ground. Most of the accident pilot's instruction in complex airplanes was not conducted in the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6208V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6208V-2012-03-06), registration cancelled 2012-03-06, S/N 172RG0591, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (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: 172RG0591
- Airframe hours: 8713
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 27, 2008
- Departed: CHS, Charleston, SC
- Destination: JZI, Charleston, SC
- Airport: JZI, Charleston Executive Airport, runway 22, 4,313 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 21 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 30, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 260 total, 1 in this make and model, 206 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 185° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: JZI

## 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 20090405005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090405005829A), Apr 5, 2009: Cessna 172RG, Charleston, SC, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. (-23) On April 5, 2009, at approximately 1515Z, N6208V, a CE-172-RG made a gear-up landing on rw 22 at johns island airport (jzi). There were 2 people on board…

## Other investigations on N6208V (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 CHI86LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA050), Dec 3, 1985: Cessna 172RG (N6208V), East Liverpool, OH, substantial damage

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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