Probable cause
The flight instructor's failure to ensure the landing gear was extended prior to landing.
NTSB analysis
The accident occurred during an instructional flight while practicing landings. The flight instructor reported that he became distracted while teaching his student and forgot to ensure that the landing gear was extended before landing. He stated that the landing gear warning horn was sounding before touchdown, but he did not realize that the landing gear was not configured until it was too late. Post accident inspection revealed that several fuselage structural components were damaged during the gear-up landing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA026 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 22, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Grand Forks International (KGFK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-44-180
- N-number
- N593ND
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.