Beech 76 N969RA accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear and the flight instructor’s failure to ensure that the landing gear were extended during landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s and the instructor’s improper use of checklist.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that he was providing multi-engine instruction to a private pilot who held a single engine airplane rating; the airplane had retractable landing gear. During the pilot's first simulated engine failure, single-engine approach to land, he did not extend the landing gear, and the flight instructor did not verify that the landing gear were extended. During the approach, both pilots heard the landing gear warning horn but disregarded it because of the nature of the maneuver. The airplane touched down on the runway with the landing gear retracted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage.

According to the Airplane Flying Handbook, page 1-6 Use of Checklist: The importance of consistent use of checklists cannot be overstated in pilot training. A major objective in primary flight training is to establish habit patterns that will serve pilots well throughout their entire flying career. The flight instructor must promote a positive attitude toward the use of checklists, and the student pilot must realize its importance.

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

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA171 for the full record.