The pilot of the retractable-landing-gear Cessna 182 reported that, during the approach of a simulated 180° power-off landing, he became fixated on his touchdown point and did not complete the landing checklist.
He added that he did not look outside to check that the main landing gear was down or to “confirm a green [landing gear position indicator] light.”
The airplane landed at the airport in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the gear retracted, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
In a followup e-mail, the pilot reported that he was using an active noise reducing headset during the accident flight. He added that, although the gear warning horn was audible, it did not translate in his brain as a landing gear retracted warning.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to complete the landing checklist and to extend the landing gear before touchdown.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA197
This March 2017 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
The problem is, it costs all aircraft owners because we share the losses via our aircraft insurance. It’s a small pool folks. Every screw up costs everyone of us.
You Fly the Way you Train, a airplane is not a Toy or a bag of golf clubs, You learn the Craft as though
you are training to be a professional Pilot, Your life and the passengers on board your Aircraft depend on you !!!!!!!!!! , Safety is Number one, and Never a Excuse . Never forget that
Why retractables cost so much EXTRA to insure. They make no sense…unless you are talking about antiquated designs and materials.
I wish I knew Jay Levine… Apparently, he’s a man incapable of every making a mistake. We could learn from him. Today, Jay can be the April “fool.”
If I’m not mistaken, this maneuver requires being in the pattern with gear extended before the power reduction takes place. I know this is true of the Pipers I fly.
There is a reason for practicing this with a CFI. One needs to learn and implement perocedural flying. Just my opinion, after experiencing that type of teaching/training.
What a stupid idiot ,there is no Excuse , this is going to cost him dearly