Probable cause
The pilot's failure to extend the airplane's landing gear before landing.
NTSB analysis
Following a 78-nautical-mile cross-country flight, the pilot forgot to extend the airplane's landing gear before landing. As the airplane veered off the runway the left wingtip impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The pilot was fatally injured four days later in a separate airplane accident; therefore, an NTSB 6120.1 form was not submitted.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DFW08CA227 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 4, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Almogordo, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- White Sands Regional (ALM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 172RG
- N-number
- N9783B
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- 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.