# NTSB FTW95LA133: Cessna 337C, N2621S, Porter, TX, March 9, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1995, 18:00 local (Mar 9, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Porter, TX
- Coordinates: 30.099121, -95.290229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0991&lon=-95.2902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA133

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. FACTORS WERE HIS FAILURE TO USE A CHECKLIST AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY LANDED THE AIRPLANE GEAR-UP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY A FLAPPING NOISE AND FORGOT TO VISUALLY CHECK THE POSITION OF THE LANDING GEAR. HE TOLD HIS MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM. A STRUCTURAL BOX BEAM WAS DAMAGED DURING GROUND SLIDE.

## Factual narrative

On March 8, 1995, at 1800 central standard time, a Cessna 337C, N2621S, was substantially damaged while landing at the Williams Airport, near Porter, Texas.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

According to a witness at the airport, the airplane made the approach with the landing gear retracted.  During the flare, the pilot started to add power just before the propeller blades contacted the asphalt runway.

The pilot told his mechanic that there was nothing wrong with the landing gear system, and that he recalled hearing the landing gear unsafe warning horn during the flare to land.  Between one quarter to one half inch of material was ground off a structural box beam on the belly of the aircraft during the ground slide.

In the enclosed pilot/operator report, the pilot stated that he put the gear down and "something flapping distracted his attention, and while looking for the unusual noise, he forgot to visually check the landing gear."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2621S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0921
- Airframe hours: 2421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: B & J Worrell Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1995, 21 hours before
- Departed: 9XS2
- Airport: 9XS2, Williams Airport, runway 35, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 397 total, 80 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 12 nm away

## 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 19950309003379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950309003379A), Mar 9, 1995: Cessna 337C, Porter, TX, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Heard landing gear warning horn on flare too late. Props hit runway. Ground off fuselage keel.

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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