Probable cause
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention due to an open door and the airport's pilot activated runway lights turning off.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during departure on a local night flight, the airplane's door popped open. He turned to downwind and attempted to close the door. While on downwind, the airport's pilot activated runway lights turned off. The pilot then had to reactivate the runway lights and he landed the airplane without extending the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane caught fire and was consumed.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA120 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 20, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lincoln, California
- Nearest airport
- Lincoln Regional Airport (LHM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night, dark
Piper PA-24-260
- N-number
- N8816P
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.