Piper PA-28RT-201 N279SR accident near Glencoe, Minnesota

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.

NTSB analysis

During an instructional flight, the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction completed air work followed by simulated power-off landings. According to the flight instructor, while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot receiving instruction “broke the sterile cockpit,” did not complete the checklist, and did not extend the landing gear. The flight instructor reported that she became distracted and did not confirm that the student extended the landing gear. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage longerons. The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA124 for the full record.