# NTSB NYC99LA075: Socata TBM 700, N700SP, Winchester, VA, March 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 1999, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Winchester, VA - Coordinates: 39.170497, -78.169975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1705&lon=-78.1700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45944/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing on the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was preoccupied with traffic while on final approach. He landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted. Although the pilot did not remember hearing an audible warning, he believed the audible warning system was working properly. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 1999, about 1255 Eastern Standard Time, a Socata TBM 700, N700SP, was substantially damaged during a landing at the Winchester Regional Airport, Winchester, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Montreal Dorval International Airport, Montreal, Canada. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. He flew a downwind, base, and final leg for Runway 32. While in the traffic pattern, he was preoccupied with an airplane on an instrument approach, and an airplane that had just landed on the runway. The pilot was discussing the traffic with the passenger, and did not remember hearing an audible warning for the landing gear. However, he believed that the audible warning system was working properly. A local mechanic witnessed the landing. He stated that the airplane flew approximately 100 feet above the runway threshold, landed approximately 600 feet beyond the approach end, and slid approximately 1,400 feet. The airplane came to rest on the runway, to the right of the centerline. The flaps, propeller, and wings sustained damaged. After the accident, the mechanic approached the airplane and observed the gear lever in the "UP" position. The airplane was brought to a hanger and placed on a lift. The power was turned "ON" and the audible warning sounded immediately. The gear lever was then placed in the "DOWN" position. The gear extended, the three green gear lights illuminated, and the warning horn ceased. The mechanic further stated that four different events; stall, autopilot disengage, gear retracted while the flaps are extended, and radar altimeter alert, activate the same audible warning. The following is an excerpt from the TBM 700 Maintenance Manual: "buzzer LS7 (Altitude preselect indication) buzzer LS8 (Auto Pilot disconnect indication) buzzer LS6 (VMP warning)... LDG up and throttle reduced -------------------> high-pitch sound LDG up and flap down----------------------------> high-pitch sound Stall-----------------------------------------------------> low-pitch sound LDG up, throttle reduced and stall------------> alternate high-low pitch sounds LDG up, flaps down and stall-------------------> alternate high-low pitch sounds" ## Aircraft - Registration: N700SP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Socata TBM 700 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 98 - Airframe hours: 640 - Engines: P&W PT6A-64 700 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Twyford - Registered owner: Volare LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1998, 93 hours before - Departed: CYUL, MONTREAL - Destination: OKV - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: OKV, Winchester Regional, runway 32, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,680 total, 207 in this make and model, 1,680 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OKV ## 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 19990313046999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990313046999A), Mar 13, 1999: Socata TBM700, Winchester, VA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated that he was preoccupied with traffic while on final approach. He landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted. Although the pilot… 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.