# NTSB WPR22LA373: Cessna 177RG, N52946, Avalon, CA, August 18, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 18, 2022, 11:30, time zone not recorded - Place: Avalon, CA · KAVX - Coordinates: 33.4, -118.42 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4000&lon=-118.4200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 106287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA373 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106287/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106287 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA373 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing, resulting in a gear up landing and substantial damage to the airplane’s belly. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while entering the airport traffic pattern, he became distracted by other air traffic. He stated that he failed to utilize his before-landing check list and did not extend the airplane’s landing gear. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52946](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52946), registered now, S/N 177RG1317, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG1317 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3791 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 2021 - Departed: KTOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KAVX, Catalina, runway 22, 3,000 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,300 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,080 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KAVX ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106287. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14804242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA373_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14804130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA373_508-Rel.pdf 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.