Piper PA-30 N751WW accident near St. Augustine, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that as he entered the airport environment for landing, while on about a 3-mile final approach, the air traffic control tower controller instructed him to perform a left 360° turn. The pilot completed the turn, and the controller cleared him to continue the approach and land. As the pilot continued the final approach to land, the sun was in his eyes, and he noticed two objects on the runway. He inquired the tower about what was on the runway, but before the controller could respond, he identified the objects as two F-18 fighter aircraft departing. Subsequently, during the landing flare he heard “gear gear gear” over the radio and then touched down with the landing gear retracted. The airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that he omitted completing his mental landing checklist of “gear, propeller, mixture, pumps, speed, stable.”

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA210 for the full record.