# NTSB WPR25LA293: Piper PA 46-350P, N462HP, Lake Havasu City, AZ, September 23, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 23, 2025, 09:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Lake Havasu City, AZ · runway/airport - Coordinates: 34.571124, -114.35827 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5711&lon=-114.3583&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2025 - 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): 201728 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201728/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201728 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA293 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to distraction and failure to conduct the before landing checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he deviated from his normal procedure of applying 10° flaps and extending the landing gear mid field in order to expedite his landing due to additional traffic approaching the airport. He added that while on base leg, he moved a personal electronic device (PED) from his lap to the dash. While on an approximate 1 mile final for the runway, as he reached for the landing gear handle, the airplane encountered an “air pocket bump,” and the PED fell and struck his hand. He stated that in his mind, he thought he had extended the landing gear and flaps, however, he did not verify that the three green landing gear indicator lights were illuminated. Subsequently, the airplane landed gear-up, and slid off the right side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N462HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N462HP), registered now, S/N 4636285, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 46-350P - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series) (registry code 41569, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4636285 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 2413.3 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-35 560 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2025 - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: HII, Lake Havasu City, runway 14/32, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2024; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,372 total, 620 in this make and model, 2,372 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KHII - METAR: METAR KHII 231555Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/15 A2990 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 20250923014109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250923014109A), Sep 23, 2025: Piper PA 46-350P, Lake Havasu, AZ, Substantial damage. PIC was flying from prc to hii. During approach, PIC decided to keep speed up and expedite the landing for other traffic. On base, PIC placed his EFB on the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201728. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19413104&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 490 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19413033&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-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.