FTW00LA018

The pilot reported that he 'entered a downwind leg for runway 35 at which time [he] had lowered the landing gear. Everything seemed normal until touchdown when the gear retracted.' The pilot stated that 'evidently the gear did not lock.' The airplane slid 250 yards and came to a stop upright. A postaccident fire erupted and consumed the cockpit, including the instrument panel, and the belly of the airframe. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, a green light on the instrument panel below the landing gear switch indicates all gears down and locked. Furthermore, item number 6 on the landing checklist states the following: 'Landing gear down (under 150 MPH check green light on, warning horn off, gear emergency handle in forward position).'

On October 22, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N6774P, was substantially damaged during a wheels up landing at the Sundance Airpark Airport near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The cross-country flight originated from Tucumcari, New Mexico, at 1230.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that was submitted by the 6,801-hour pilot, he departed Tucumcari for Oklahoma City, with a planned stop in Weatherford, Oklahoma, for fuel. The flight landed, fueled, and departed from Weatherford without incident. The pilot stated that during the approach to the Sundance Airpark Airport, he "entered a downwind set up for landing on runway 35 at which time [he] had lowered the landing gear. Everything seemed normal until touchdown when the gear retracted." The pilot stated that "evidently the gear did not lock." The airplane skidded approximately 250 yards, coming to a stop upright. A postaccident fire erupted and consumed the cockpit, including the instrument panel, cabin interior, and the belly of the airframe.

According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the accident airplane, "a green light on the instrument panel below the landing gear switch indicates all gears down and locked." Item number 6 on landing checklist in the POH states the following: "Landing gear down (under 150 MPH, check green light on, warning horn off, gear emergency handle in forward position)."