# NTSB ERA24LA034: Piper PA32R, N100VF, Florala, AL, November 8, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 8, 2023, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Florala, AL - Coordinates: 31.0488, -86.30968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0488&lon=-86.3097&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193373/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193373 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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: [Piper PA-32R-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021500): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021500/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021500/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7103213), [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: [Piper PA-32R-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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: [Piper PA-32R-300, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was performing a short-field landing as part of a flight review and because he was focused on his intended point of touchdown, airspeed, flap position, and clearing the “simulated 50 ft obstacle,” he was distracted from the normal landing procedure. Immediately before touchdown, the airplane’s landing gear warning horn sounded, and the landing was completed with the landing gear fully retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have prevented normal landing gear extension. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N100VF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N100VF), registered now, S/N 32R-7780539, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7780539 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 8046 - Engines: Lycoming IO540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2023, 91.1 hours before - Departed: 18FD, Baker, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 0J4, Florala Municipal Airport, runway 22, 3,197 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review February 9, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,542 total, 957 in this make and model, 1,508 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,564 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,769 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: K0J4 - METAR: K0J4 082158Z AUTO 21010KT 10SM CLR 26/14 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP165 T02610139 ## 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 20231108017579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231108017579A), Nov 8, 2023: Piper PA-32R-300, Florala, AL, Substantial damage. While performing touch and go's at 0J4 with CFI in the right seat [privacy data omitted] landed gear up, skidded to a stop and was towed to the ramp. PIC and… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193373. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 861 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16407121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N100VF%20-%20NTSB%20accident%20report%20Nov.08.2023_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16407841&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20wheels%20up%20statement%20Nov.8.2023%20(signed)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16407694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Robert%20Hudgens%2011%209%202023%20v02%20w%20Corrctns_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16407433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA034%20Photo%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.