# NTSB ERA26LA139: Piper PA-28R-200, N44443, St. Augustine, FL, March 5, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 5, 2026, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC) - Place: St. Augustine, FL · Northeast Florida Regional Airport - Coordinates: 29.960135, -81.339607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9601&lon=-81.3396&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026 - 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): 202608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. ## 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-28R-200, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102811), [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: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, while on final approach to land he was concerned with the preceding aircraft clearing the runway and did not extend the landing gear. The airplane subsequently touched down with the landing gear retracted. The airplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane’s landing gear position warning horn was functional, but that he and the passengers were not able to hear it due to the noise canceling headsets that they were wearing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44443](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44443), registered now, S/N 28R-7535001, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7535001 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 3383 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jax Navy Flying Club - Registered owner: Jax Navy Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2017 - Departed: NIP, Jacksonville, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: SGJ, St Augustine, runway 13, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 13, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 27,980 total, 13 in this make and model, 26,008 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2026; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,045 total, 311 in this make and model, 1,888 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: SGJ - METAR: METAR KSGJ 051656Z 09006KT 10SM CLR 24/20 A3026 RMK AO2 SLPNO T02390200 $ ## 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 20260305002549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260305002549A), Mar 5, 2026: Piper PA-28R-200, Saint Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. A flight instructor was conducting a PIC proficiency check on a pilot in a PA-28R-200 at ksgj. The first landing (touch and go) was uneventful. During the… 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.