Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use the landing checklist.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated he was flying to another airport for lunch, and as he approached the airport, he was looking around for other airplanes in the traffic pattern and “just forgot” to extend the landing gear. He further stated he did not use the landing checklist. He subsequently landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage longerons.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA259 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 4, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Spencer, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Blue Ridge Airport (MTV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32R-301
- N-number
- N8429X
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- 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.