# NTSB ERA26LA235: Piper PA-24-250, N5376P, Bartow, FL, May 23, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2026, 09:54 local (13:54 UTC)
- Place: Bartow, FL
- Coordinates: 27.943363, -81.783489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9434&lon=-81.7835&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 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): 203150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA235

## 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-24-250, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102404), [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: [Piper PA-24-250, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102404), [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-24-250, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during a straight-in approach, he forgot to extend the airplane’s landing gear and that he landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane slid to a stop on the runway and 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5376P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5376P), registered now, S/N 24-426 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-426
- Year built: 1959
- Airframe hours: 1676.6
- Engines: Lycoming Engines O-540-A1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2026, 1 hours before
- Departed: FA83, Zellwood, FL
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: BOW, Bartow Exec, runway 09L, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 170 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: BOW
- METAR: METAR KBOW 231335Z AUTO 13009KT 10SM SCT017 SCT024 28/24 A3012 RMK AO2 PWINO=

## 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 20260523005509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260523005509A), May 23, 2026: Piper COMMANCHE, Bartow, FL, Substantial damage. On may 23, 2026, ap approximately 1340Z/0940L, aircraft landed on runway 9L at kbow with the gear retracted. No injuries to pilot, sole occupant on board.…

## Other investigations on N5376P (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 GAA16CA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA277), Jun 4, 2016: Piper PA 24 (N5376P), Loda, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly calculate the fuel consumption rate and to properly monitor the fuel status in flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a…

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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