# NTSB FTW04LA223: Cessna 340, N98624, Odessa, TX, August 26, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2004, 12:17 local (17:17 UTC) - Place: Odessa, TX - Coordinates: 31.920555, -102.386947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9206&lon=-102.3869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA223 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing and the instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not performed, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The 11,623-hour certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that during a simulated engine out landing, the 6,727-hour pilot receiving instruction failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing. While on the downwind leg of the approach, the pilot was practicing and inoperative engine procedure which diverted his attention. The CFI stated that as power was reduced on final approach for landing, the aural gear warning horn sounded and "it was doubtful that a go-around could have been initiated successfully," and power was reduced to idle on both engines and landed gear up. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2004, at 1217 central daylight time, a Cessna 340 twin-engine airplane, N98624, was substantially damaged during a gear-up landing at the Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airport (ODO) near Odessa, Texas. The commercial pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot receiving instruction. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Midland International Airport near Midland, Texas, at an unknown time, and was destined for ODO. The 11,623-hour certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after entering the airport traffic pattern on downwind for Runway 20, he reduced power on the left engine to simulate an inoperative engine. The 6,727-hour pilot receiving instruction executed the emergency checklist and due to the distance to Runway 20, decided to land on runway 16 (a 3,420 foot long, 60 foot wide, asphalt runway). The CFI further reported that they turned to establish the base leg for Runway 16 and observed the pilot receiving instruction "place his hand on the gear handle and assumed that he had put the gear down at that time." The CFI added that the gear warning lights "could not be seen very well from the right seat position and were not very bright" and he did not "lean over to verify that the gear was down." As power was reduced on final approach for landing, the aural gear warning horn sounded, alerting the CFI and pilot receiving instruction that the landing gear was not extended. The CFI stated that an "it was doubtful that a go-around could have been initiated successfully," and power was reduced to idle on both engines. Subsequently, the airplane landed gear up and came to rest up right. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed a hole through the pressure vessel in the main bulkhead of the aircraft. The wing flaps, air condenser and both propellers were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98624](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98624), registered now, S/N 340A-0064, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 340 - Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 340A-0064 - Airframe hours: 5420 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry Enmon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2003, 26 hours before - Departed: MAF, MIDLAND, TX - Destination: ODO, ODESSA, TX - Airport: ODO, Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airpor, runway 16, 5,703 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 9, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 11,623 total, 40 in this make and model, 10,327 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,727 total, 22 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ODO ## 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 20040826019279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040826019279A), Aug 26, 2004: Cessna 340A, Odessa, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 26, 2004, at approximately 1200 CDT local time, during a local dual instruction flight, neither the student pilot nor the flight instructor… 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.