Probable cause
The pilot landed without lowering the landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern on his third solo landing to provide spacing for another airplane. He said that he forgot to lower the landing gear and inadvertently landed with the gear up. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom cabin structure of the fuselage. The student pilot reported that the landing gear warning activated; however, he thought it was the stall warning. The student pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA136 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 13, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Willmar, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Willmar Municipal Airport-John (BDH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K
- N-number
- N262RW
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
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.