# NTSB LAX03LA290: Cessna 172RG, N9564B, Santa Ana, CA, September 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 2003, 17:00 local (Sep 30, 2003, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Ana, CA - Coordinates: 33.675556, -117.869163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6756&lon=-117.8692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviatiion Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57965/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA290 ## Probable cause the failure of the right main landing gear pivot assembly. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure (cause) - Wheels up landing, landing - gear extension - not possible ## Analysis The pilot intentionally landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. In preparation for landing, he lowered the landing gear handle but did not get a green safe light. The pilot could visually see that the right main strut was not in position. He cycled the landing gear multiple times and contacted Sunrise Aviation via the radio for troubleshooting assistance but the situation could not be remedied. He decided to make an intentional gear up landing. Examination of the airplane revealed failure of the right landing gear pivot assembly. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2003, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9564B, landed with its landing gear retracted at John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California. Sunrise Aviation operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local personal flight originated at John Wayne Airport. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that in preparation for landing he lowered the landing gear handle but did not get a green safe light. The pilot could visually see that the right main strut was not in position. He cycled the landing gear multiple times and contacted Sunrise Aviation via the radio for troubleshooting assistance but the situation could not be remedied. He decided to make an intentional gear up landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed airframe keel damage and failure of the right landing gear pivot assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9564B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9564B-2025-12-30), registration cancelled 2025-12-30, S/N 172RG0884, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - 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: 172RG0884 - Airframe hours: 7748 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sunrise Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2003 - Departed: KSNA, Santa Ana, CA - Destination: KSNA - Airport: KSNA, John Wayne Airport, runway 19R, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 414 total, 68 in this make and model, 310 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KSNA ## 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 20030929025079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030929025079A), Sep 29, 2003: Cessna 172RG, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Gear malfunction during attempt to extend gear in traffic pattern. Pilot departed pattern and attempted several remedies to fix the situation to no… 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.