Probable cause
The flight crew's failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in an inadvertent wheels up landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's diverted attention.
NTSB analysis
According to the captain, while on approach to land, he distracted the crew by pointing out a boat dock. He said that after touchdown, he realized that the landing gear was not extended, and the airplane slid on its belly, sustaining substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. He said that the crew did not hear the landing gear retracted warning horn, and the accident could have been prevented if he had not distracted the crew. The captain reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA044 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 12, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cold Bay, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Cold Bay (PACD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Douglas DC-6B
- N-number
- N600UA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 125
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.