# NTSB ERA26LA150: Piper PA-24-260, N9024P, Athens, GA, March 14, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 14, 2026, 12:32 local (16:32 UTC)
- Place: Athens, GA
- Coordinates: 33.949192, -83.324781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9492&lon=-83.3248&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 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): 202662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA150

## 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.

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [Piper PA-24-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/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-24-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during a straight-in landing approach, he inadvertently landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane remained on the runway and slid to a stop, after which the pilot realized the landing gear handle was still in the up position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A mechanic examined the airplane after the accident and confirmed that the landing gear system, including the position warning horn, functioned normally.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9024P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9024P), registered now, S/N 24-4486, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 24-4486
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 7942
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540D4A5 260 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2026, 7,933 hours before
- Departed: KECE, Seneca, SC
- Destination: KAHN, Athens, GM
- Airport: AHN, Athens/Ben Epps, runway 27, 6,122 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2025; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 872 total, 741 in this make and model, 820 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: AHN
- METAR: METAR KAHN 141451Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/06 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP208 T01780061 53013 $

## 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 20260314002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260314002949A), Mar 14, 2026: Piper PA-24-260, Athens, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft made a gear up landing on runway 27 at ahn.

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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