# NTSB GAA19CA138: Cessna 172RG, N5223V, Atlanta, GA, February 13, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 13, 2019, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 34.013332, -84.59333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0133&lon=-84.5933&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98998/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98998 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inability to see the landing gear position light because his iPad was blocking his view of it and his feeling of being rushed during the approach and landing. ## 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: [Cessna 172RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Mental/emotional state: stress](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510/cases.md) - [Mental/emotional state: confusion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022520/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md) - [Mental/emotional state: stress](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510/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: [Cessna 172RG, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he noticed the airplane was a little high, so he reduced power to idle and heard an alert horn. He quickly scanned the engine gauges and saw that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication." He considered conducting a go-around but decided to land and assess the situation on the ground. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that he did not see the landing gear position light because his iPad, which was sitting on the yoke, blocked his view. He added that, leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast paced, and he felt rushed, which attributed to his assumption that he was in his "typical" fixed-landing gear airplane. 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 landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he noticed he was a little high, so he reduced power to idle and heard an alert horn. He quickly scanned the engine gauges and observed that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication". He considered performing a go around but decided to land and assess the situation on the ground. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that he did not see the landing gear position light because his iPad sitting on the yoke blocked his view. He added that leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast paced, and he felt rushed, which attributed to him assuming he was in his "typical" fixed landing gear airplane. 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: [N5223V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5223V-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 172RG0476, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0476 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 6558.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2018 - Departed: FTY, Atlanta, GA - Destination: RYY, Atlanta, GA - Airport: RYY, Cobb County Intl-Mccollum Fiel, runway 27, 6,295 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 243 total, 17 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KRYY ## 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 20190213015439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190213015439A), Feb 13, 2019: Cessna 172RG, Kennesaw, GA, Substantial damage. On February 13, 2019 approximately 1646, flight standards district office so -11 was contacted by regional operation center (roc) concerning a gear up landing… ## Other investigations on N5223V (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 NYC83LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA031), Nov 24, 1982: Cessna 172RG (N5223V), Middletown, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98998. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471414&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 563 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471416&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.