Piper PA32R N100VF accident near Florala, Alabama

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that he was performing a short-field landing as part of a flight review and because he was focused on his intended point of touchdown, airspeed, flap position, and clearing the “simulated 50 ft obstacle,” he was distracted from the normal landing procedure. Immediately before touchdown, the airplane’s landing gear warning horn sounded, and the landing was completed with the landing gear fully retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have prevented normal landing gear extension.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA034 for the full record.