N16SC accident

NTSB ANC25LA117 · 2025-10-01 · Kotlik, AK · near PFKO

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern he became distracted by a rain squall which resulted in his failure to extend the landing gear, and the airplane subsequently landed gear-up. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the gear-up landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before 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
Ceiling (ft): 0
Wind direction: 180
Wind speed (kt): 10
Temperature (F): 34
Nearest airport: Kotlik Airport
Distance from field: 0.0
Airport elevation: 14

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N16SC	—	—	SUBS	135

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	Landing-landing roll Landing gear not configured defining	Cruise

Findings

Finding
Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Flight crew	cause
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Flight crew	cause
Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Landing gear selector-Not used/operated	cause
Personnel issues-Task performance-Workload management-Task overload-Flight crew	cause