# NTSB GAA15CA080: Pilatus PC12 - 45, N811VM, Crownpoint, NM, May 13, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 12, 2015, 21:20 local (May 13, 2015, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Crownpoint, NM
- Coordinates: 35.724445, -108.199447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7244&lon=-108.1994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91203/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91203
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA080

## 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: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7090551), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7090551), [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-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Pilatus PC-12/45, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7090551), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced engine power to idle and the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported that he misinterpreted the gear warning horn for the ground proximity warning system and the airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spar carry-through structure and left spar attachment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced engine power to idle and the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported that he misinterpreted the gear warning horn for the ground proximity warning system and the airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spar carry-through structure and left spar attachment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N811VM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N811VM), registered now, S/N 316, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PILATUS PC12 - 45 (45)
- Registry model: [Pilatus PC-12/45](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-12-45) (registry code 7090551) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-6-series) (registry code 52150, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 316
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 6703
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-67B 1200 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Valley Med Flight, Inc.
- Registered owner: Med Flight Leasing, LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 17, 2015
- Departed: GUP, GALLUP, NM
- Destination: 0E8, CROWNPOINT, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 0E8, Crownpoint, runway 18, 5,820 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,439 total, 42 in this make and model, 4,301 as pilot in command, 226 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 230° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KGUP, 32 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 20150512006649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150512006649A), May 12, 2015: Pilatus PC-12/45, Crowpoint, NM, Substantial damage. The pilot was on a company part 91 repositioning flight from kgup to 0E8. The weather was VMC and runway conditions were dry. The pilot stated he departed for…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91203. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo – 1 Spar Carry-Through Structure Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%E2%80%93%201%20Spar%20Carry-Through%20Structure%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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