Probable cause
The pilot's diverted attention during the landing approach, which resulted in his failure to configure the landing gear and a subsequent a gear-up landing.
NTSB analysis
While the pilot was approaching the airport for landing in gusting wind conditions, the landing runway was changed, and an airplane was cleared to takeoff while the pilot was on final approach. The pilot reported that he was distracted by the wind conditions, reconfiguring the approach for a different runway, and the airplane taking off ahead of him, and did not recall performing his normal before-landing procedures; though he "thought" that he extended the landing gear. The airplane landed with the gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The accident is consistent with the pilot's failure to configure the landing gear before landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17LA151 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 7, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Fulton County Airport-Brown Fi (FTY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 414
- N-number
- N56H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.