Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during a straight in landing he forgot to perform his before landing checklist because he had not flown the standard traffic pattern. The airplane contacted the runway surface with the landing gear in the retracted position and came to rest on the runway. The pilot reported that he saw smoke and exited the airplane before a post-crash fire ensued which destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA375 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 29, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cortez, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Cortez Municipal (CEZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 14 19
- N-number
- N8851R
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1960
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.