# NTSB WPR23LA154: Cessna T337G, N38C, Upland, CA, April 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 16, 2023, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Upland, CA · KCCB - Coordinates: 34.113708, -117.68145 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1137&lon=-117.6814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 107068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107068/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107068 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA154 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly flare the airplane, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly a nonstandard traffic pattern, which resulted in an unstable approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear door retract sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023231): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023231/cases.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023231/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Mental/emotional state: anxiety/panic](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022515): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022515/cases.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022515/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T337G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075726), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, on the downwind leg, the green landing gear indicator lights did not illuminate when he extended the gear. He then went through the emergency landing gear extension checklist and noted that the landing gear pump handle had high resistance, indicating to him that the landing gear was down. He felt excessive drag and suspected that the main landing gear doors were open. The pilot stated that he conducted a low pass over the runway and made a radio call requesting visual confirmation of the gear being down and locked, but no response was received. The pilot reported that flaring the airplane during the landing was very difficult due to the open gear doors and the nose gear and left main landing gear collapsed on touchdown. Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane making a normal crosswind turn and then angling toward the runway threshold before making a tight left base turn to the final leg of the pattern. The airplane landed hard, short, and to the right of the runway threshold. The left main landing gear and the nose landing gear collapsed due to the hard landing, and the left wing sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the landing gear system revealed that all three landing gear were in the down and locked position when the airplane touched down. Further examination revealed that the left landing gear limit switch was not functioning properly, rendering it unable to sequence the door solenoid valve to the door close position. This resulted in the main landing gear doors remaining open, causing excessive drag. The pilot's execution of an overly tight base turn, likely exceeding the critical angle of attack, and the increased drag caused by the open main landing gear doors, likely led to the pilot not properly flaring the airplane, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 2023, at 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 337, N38C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Upland, California. The pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed Cable Airport, (CCB), Upland, California for a local flight. When he returned to CCB, on the downwind leg, he lowered the landing gear handle and the landing gear indicator lights did not illuminate with a three green indication. He performed the emergency landing gear extension checklist and noted the landing gear pump handle had high resistance, which indicated to him that the gear was down. He also felt excessive drag and suspected the main gear doors were open. During the interview with the pilot, he mentioned that he experienced anxiety at that moment while referring to a recent fatal accident involving an airplane of the same model. The pilot considered the possibility that this accident potentially occurred due to the main landing gear doors remaining open, which could have caused excessive drag. He conducted a low pass over the runway and made a radio call asking if anyone could verify whether the landing gear was down and locked, but there was no response. The pilot reported flaring the airplane during the landing was very difficult due to the open gear doors, and the nose gear and left main landing gear collapsed on touchdown. Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane made a normal crosswind turn and then angled towards the runway threshold before making a tight left base turn to final. The airplane landed hard, short, and to the right of the runway threshold. The left main landing gear and the nose gear collapsed and the left wing sustained substantial damage. Both main gear doors were found in the open position. Figure 1: The accident airplane’s final approach path A postaccident examination was conducted on the landing gear system. The landing gear remained in the same position as when the accident occurred. Both the nose and left main landing gears had separated but the extension mechanisms were in the down and locked position. The right main landing gear was in the down and locked position and undamaged. Both main landing gear doors were open. The hydraulic reservoir was full of hydraulic fluid. The landing gear was cycled multiple times through gear extension and retraction to test each landing gear. During the examination the main landing gear doors failed to close properly. To close the main landing gear doors all three limit switches must be operational, allowing the door solenoid valve to move the doors to the closed position. While individually testing each limit switch through visual inspection and isolating them one by one, all components operated as expected, except for the left limit switch, which was identified as worn and defective. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38C-2026-01-29), registration cancelled 2026-01-29, S/N P3370097, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T337G - Registry model: [Cessna T337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337g) (registry code 2075726) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P3370097 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 2471 - Engines: Continental TSIO360CB 225 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO360CB 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CCB, Cable, runway 24, 3,863 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,500 total, 600 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KCCB - METAR: KCCB 161635Z AUTO 26003KT 10SM CLR 14/09 A3012 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230416009709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230416009709A), Apr 16, 2023: Cessna T337G, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. Returning to land at Cable Airport with a passenger on 04/16/2023, the pilot reported that N38C'S landing gear position indicator lights did not indicate green… ## Other investigations on N38C (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX77OA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77OA003), Apr 1, 1977: Cessna T337G (N38C), Cabo Sn Lucas, Mexico, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107068. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16309697&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA154%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16013882&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20with%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Landing gear examination report (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 6 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16317313&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA154%20Landing%20Gear%20Examination%20Report-Rel.pdf - ADS-B data (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16310134&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ADS-B%20raw%20data-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16309793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Retention%20release%20of%20wreckage%20WPR23LA154_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15914791&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA154%20Docket%20photo-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.