# NTSB LAX04CA303: Rockwell 112TC, N54RR, Bullhead City, AZ, August 16, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2004, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Bullhead City, AZ - Coordinates: 35.157222, -114.559448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1572&lon=-114.5594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60005/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA303 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to use a checklist and to verify that the gear were extended. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause) - gear extension - not verified, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane landed gear up. In an effort to make the approach faster, the pilot opted to leave the landing gear retracted for the initial approach. During the landing flare, the airplane touched down on the bottom of the fuselage, and the pilot realized that he had forgotten to extend the landing gear. The pilot further stated that he did not use a physical checklist prior to landing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to impact. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2004, about 0915 mountain standard time, a Rockwell Commander 112TC, N54RR, landed gear up at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport, Bullhead City, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from Henderson Executive Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, about 0835 Pacific daylight time, with a planned destination of Bullhead City. In a telephone conversation with a National Transporation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 16. In an effort to make the approach faster, he opted to leave the landing gear retracted for the initial approach. He mentally preformed a prelanding checklist "GUMPS," which included checking the gas, undercarriage, mixture, and propeller. During the landing flare, the airplane touched down on the bottom of the fuselage, and the pilot realized that he had forgotten to extend the landing gear. The pilot further stated that he did not use a physical checklist prior to landing. He also noted that he did not hear the gear warning horn sound, which he thought was a result of using external noise cancellation headsets. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to impact. The accident was upgraded from an incident on August 24, 2004. The airplane incurred damage to the wing carry-though spar and possibly the fuselage aft bulkhead. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54RR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54RR), registered now, S/N 13107, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell 112TC - Registry model: [Rockwell International 112TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tc) (registry code 7630306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13107 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1A6D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HND, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: IFP, Bullhead City, AZ - Airport: IFP, Laughlin/Bullhead Internationa, runway 16 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 497 total, 382 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040816019429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040816019429A), Aug 16, 2004: Gulstm 112TC, Bullhead City, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 16, 2004, around 0840 mountain standard time, rockwell commander 112TC, N54RR, landed with the landing gear in the up position at the Bullhead… 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.