Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in an attempted go-around and subsequent pitchdown and impact with the runway.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the retractable-gear airplane reported that, during landing, at the "last second," he noticed that the landing gear were not extended. He applied full power to go around, but the airplane pitched down and impacted the runway. The airplane came to rest about 1000 ft down the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA032 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 18, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Madras, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Madras Municipal (S33)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA24
- N-number
- N6263P
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1959
- 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.