Landing Gear Not Configured: Cessna Cardinal 177 RG, N52881, accident occurred October 04, 2018 at Stanly County Airport ( KVUJ), Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

https://registry.faa.gov/N52881

Location: Albermarle, NC
Accident Number: GAA19CA017
Date & Time: 10/04/2018, 1300 EDT
Registration: N52881
Aircraft: Cessna 177RG
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that he, "decided to attempt a gear up glide" to the runway. He recalled that he became fixated on the reaching the runway and forgot to extend the landing gear. The airplane touched down and skidded to a stop on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage bulkheads.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 46, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/27/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/15/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 493 hours (Total, all aircraft), 419 hours (Total, this make and model), 372 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N52881
Model/Series: 177RG No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:1977 
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 177RG1298
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/12/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5988.8 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-A1B6D
Registered Owner: Cardinal Air
Rated Power: 200 hp
Operator: Cardinal Air
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVUJ, 609 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1700 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 338°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:340° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Carthage, NC (BQ1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Gold Hill, NC (NC25)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0130 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Stanly County (VUJ)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 608 ft
Runway Surface Condition:Dry 
Runway Used: 22L
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 5500 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and Go; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:1 None 
Aircraft Fire:None 
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 35.416667, -80.150833 (est)