Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly configure the landing gear for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention looking for traffic and manipulating the secondary trim controls.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that after takeoff, he experienced a primary trim failure and continued to the destination using secondary trim. The pilot stated that during final approach his airspeed was too high to lower the landing gear. The pilot "continued working the trim," and was looking for any traffic in the pattern. In the landing flare, he heard "an unusual noise like something scraping," performed a go-around, and realized he had not extended the landing gear. The pilot then extended the gear and landed without incident. Inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA156 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 1, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Greensboro, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Piedmont Triad International (GSO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piaggio P180
- N-number
- N29JS
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
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.