# NTSB NYC95LA014: Grumman G-44, N54VT, Haymarket, VA, October 18, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 18, 1994, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Haymarket, VA - Location: 38.8122° N, 77.6363° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Haymarket, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8122&lon=-77.6363&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38889/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in a gear up landing. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear not extended, landing - light condition - sunglare - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The pilot landed gearup while landing on his private farm airstrip. According to th pilot, 'As I approached the farm, I prepared for the landing by going through the pre-landing check. I elected to wait before putting the gear down. As I approached the landing, I was distracted by the bright sun glaring through the windshield, as the sun was setting, I was distracted, and did not put the gear down. The sun was bright enough that the gear light did not warn me of impending gearup landing.' The airplane came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On October 18, 1994 about 1735 eastern daylight time, N54VT, a Grumman G-44 "Widgeon" airplane, landed gearup, and nosed over on a private grass airstrip, at Haymarket, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The departure point was Culpeper, Virginia. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot "I left Manassas Airport to fly the fifteen minute trip home to land on the farm. As I approached the farm, I prepared for the landing by going through the pre- landing check. I elected to wait before putting the gear down. As I approached the landing,I was distracted by the bright sun glaring through the windshield as the sun was setting. I was distracted and did not put the gear down. The sun was bright enough that the gear light did not warn me of impending gear up landing." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54VT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54VT), registered now, S/N 1277 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44 - Registry model: [Grumman G-44](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-44) (registry code 3951502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1277 - Airframe hours: 3684 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-B1D 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William C. Latham - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1994, 60 hours before - Departed: HEF, CULPEPER, VA - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 33, 1,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,832 total, 1,082 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 315° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19941018035059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941018035059A), Oct 18, 1994: Gulstm G44, Prince Williams, VA, Substantial damage. Amphibian landed gear up and rolled on its side. Blamed distraction by blinding sun and unable check gear lights. 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.