N5223V Cessna 172RG accident

NTSB GAA19CA138 · 2019-02-13 · Atlanta, GA · near RYY

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Summary

The pilot of the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he noticed the airplane was a little high, so he reduced power to idle and heard an alert horn. He quickly scanned the engine gauges and saw that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication." He considered conducting a go-around but decided to land and assess the situation on the ground. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that he did not see the landing gear position light because his iPad, which was sitting on the yoke, blocked his view. He added that, leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast paced, and he felt rushed, which attributed to his assumption that he was in his "typical" fixed-landing gear airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Full narrative

The pilot of the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he noticed he was a little high, so he reduced power to idle and heard an alert horn. He quickly scanned the engine gauges and observed that the manifold pressure gauge was "pegged at the bottom with no indication". He considered performing a go around but decided to land and assess the situation on the ground. The pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted.

The pilot added that he did not see the landing gear position light because his iPad sitting on the yoke blocked his view. He added that leading up to the approach and landing, the flight was fast paced, and he felt rushed, which attributed to him assuming he was in his "typical" fixed landing gear airplane.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

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

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inability to see the landing gear position light because his iPad was blocking his view of it and his feeling of being rushed during the approach and landing. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type
Accident
Highest injury
None
Weather conditions
Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition
Day
Sky condition
NONE
Ceiling (ft)
0
Visibility (sm)
10
Wind direction
280
Wind speed (kt)
9
Temperature (F)
54
Nearest airport
COBB COUNTY INTL-MCCOLLUM FIEL
Distance from field
0.0
Airport elevation
1040

Aircraft

RegistrationMakeModelDamageFAR part
N5223V Cessna 172RG SUBS 091

Sequence of events

#OccurrencePhase
1 Landing Landing gear not configured defining Cruise

Findings

Finding
Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Not used/operated cause
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot cause
Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-Stress-Pilot factor
Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-Confusion-Pilot factor
Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring equip/instruments-Pilot factor
Environmental issues-Task environment-Physical workspace-Visibility-Effect on personnel - F cause
Personnel issues-Psychological-Mental/emotional state-Stress-Pilot cause