# NTSB LAX06CA028: Learjet 25D, N888DV, Sacramento, CA, October 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2005, 18:25 local (Oct 27, 2005, 02:25 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.667499, -121.400558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6675&lon=-121.4006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA028 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear and to verify they were in the down and locked position prior to touchdown. A related factor was his diverted attention. ## 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) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear down and locked - not verified, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The crew landed with the landing gear in the retracted position. While the airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot heard a helicopter pilot make a transmission over the common radio frequency. As he completed the before landing checklist the pilot searched for the helicopter that he heard over the radio. During the landing flare he realized something was amiss and looked down at the instrument panel. He noticed that the landing gear lights were illuminated red. Just prior to contacting the runway surface he reached for the landing gear handle and manipulated it in the down position. The airplane made a smooth touchdown with the landing gear in the retracted position. The pilot stated that he did not make the proper check for the gear extension due to the timing of the helicopter distraction. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine, stating that the accident was the result of pilot error. ## Factual narrative The pilot performed a landing with the landing gear in the retracted position. While the airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot heard a helicopter pilot make a transmission over the common radio frequency. The approach checklist was complete and the copilot called for the landing gear to be extended. The pilot thought that he lowered the gear while searching for the helicopter he knew was in the vicinity. On final approach the airplane was configured with full flaps and the pilot announced that the before landing checklist was complete; he had no recollection of visually observing the landing gear lights illuminate green. Upon landing flare, he realized something was amiss and looked down at the instrument panel. He saw that the landing gear lights were illuminated red and reached to the gear handle to verify it was in the down position. The airplane made a smooth touchdown with the landing gear in the retracted position. The pilot stated that he did not make the proper check for the gear extension due to the timing of the helicopter distraction. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine, stating that the accident was the result of pilot error. The airplane incurred thermal damage to the wing structure. The pilot further stated that there were no audible warning indications that the landing gear were retracted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888DV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888DV-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N 370, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Learjet 25D - Registry model: [Gates Learjet 25D](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-25d) (registry code 5170514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CJ610-8&9](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cj610-8-9) (registry code 30014, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 370 - Engines: General Electric CJ610-8 turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MHR, Sacramento, CA - Destination: MCC, Sacramento, CA - Airport: MCC, Mc Clellan Airfield, runway 16, 10,600 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: front; flight hours: 17,500 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: right; flight hours: 20,000 total, 70 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20051026028499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051026028499A), Oct 26, 2005: Lear 25D, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The flight departed kmhr enroute to kmcc. The crew entered the traffic pattern to runway 16 and initiated the before landing checklist. The crew became… 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.