# NTSB GAA17CA425: Piper PA28R, N786BG, Bowling Green, OH, July 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2017, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Bowling Green, OH - Coordinates: 41.391666, -83.629997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3917&lon=-83.6300&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95628/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95628 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA425 ## Probable cause The pilot’s and flight instructor’s failure to extend the landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/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-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the retractable-gear airplane reported that, during a simulated engine-out landing with a flight instructor, they forgot to extend the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the retractable gear airplane reported that, during a simulated engine out landing with a flight instructor, they forgot to extend the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N786BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N786BG), registered now, S/N 2844126, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R (201) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2844126 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 4761.1 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 2017 - Departed: 1G0, Bowling Green, OH - Destination: 1G0, Bowling Green, OH - Airport: 1G0, Wood County, runway 10, 4,199 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2017; seat: right; flight hours: 239.6 total, 37.4 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4.5 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,398 total, 54 in this make and model, 1,164 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KTDZ, 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 20170718012509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170718012509A), Jul 18, 2017: Piper PA-28R-201, Bowling Green, OH, Substantial damage. The pilot was receiving instruction toward his initial flight instructor rating. The flight started with practice of maneuvers in the practice area and ended… ## Other investigations on N786BG (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 CEN16LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA374), Sep 13, 2016: Piper PA-28R-201 (N786BG), Bowling Green, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots’ failure to complete the Emergency Landing Gear Extension checklist and maintenance personnel’s failure to correctly repair spliced wires on the left main landing gear down limit switch,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95628. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 789 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 303 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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. --- 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.