14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, December 01, 2013 in Richland, WA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/01/2014
Aircraft: CESSNA 177RG, registration: N7592V
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The student pilot reported that following an uneventful flight, as he entered the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg, was notified by another pilot that there was an airplane operating within the traffic pattern with no radio. The student pilot established visual contact with one airplane, however, did not establish visual contact with the airplane operating without a radio until reaching the mid-field point on downwind. The student pilot stated that throughout the approach to landing, he maintained visual contact with the airplane until it would not be a factor. The student pilot subsequently landed the airplane with the landing gear in the retracted position, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. The student pilot stated that his attention was diverted between maintaining airspeed and a stable approach to the runway, while maintaining visual contact with the airplane that was not in radio contact. He added that he failed to do his before landing checklist as he normally does at the mid-field point on downwind and each turn in the traffic pattern. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention and not using a checklist.
http://registry.faa.gov/N7592V
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Scary moments for a pilot of a small passenger plane this afternoon.
He had to crash land in a field after the landing gear on his plane malfunctioned.
Emergency workers were called out to the Richland airport this afternoon.
Police say the pilot of the small plane went to land, but the landing gear failed to drop.
The plane hit the runway and skidded to a stop.
Surprisingly there was very little damage to the plane. The pilot was understandably shaken up but walked away from the crash with no injuries.
Story, Video and Comments/Reaction: http://www.keprtv.com