# NTSB GAA19CA017: Cessna 177RG, N52881, Albermarle, NC, October 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2018, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Albermarle, NC - Coordinates: 35.416667, -80.150833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4167&lon=-80.1508&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98463/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98463 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to attempt a gear-up glide to the runway and his subsequent failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use a checklist before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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: [Cessna 177RG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2073709), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073709), [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-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane reported that he "decided to attempt a gear up glide" to the runway. He recalled that he became fixated on reaching the runway and forgot to extend the landing gear. The airplane touched down and skidded to a stop on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage bulkheads. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot recommended adhering to checklists. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that he, "decided to attempt a gear up glide" to the runway. He recalled that he became fixated on the reaching the runway and forgot to extend the landing gear. The airplane touched down and skidded to a stop on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage bulkheads. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52881](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52881), registered now, S/N 177RG1298, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG1298 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5988.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cardinal Air - Registered owner: Cardinal Air - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 2017 - Departed: BQ1, Carthage, NC - Destination: NC25, Gold Hill, NC - Airport: VUJ, Stanly County, runway 22L, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Heads up display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 493 total, 419 in this make and model, 372 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KVUJ ## 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 20181004019459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181004019459A), Oct 4, 2018: Cessna 177RG, Albermarle, NC, Substantial damage. Flight originated at gold hill airport (NC25) with the pilot and one passenger. Pilot flew the aircraft to Stanly County Airport (vuj) and was performing touch… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98463. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.