TBM 700 N620WG accident near Carlsbad, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to a distraction, which resulted in an impact with the runway.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated he was distracted as he followed another airplane into the traffic pattern and maintained visual separation with the airplane as it landed in front of him. During his approach he felt the airplane was faster than normal, even after reducing the throttle more than expected. When the airplane reached short final, the pilot heard a low tone he was unfamiliar with. He chose to ignore the tone and concentrate on landing the airplane. As the airplane touched down, the propeller impacted the runway and the airplane settled to the runway on its belly and came to a stop near the runway centerline.

The landing gear switch was found in the down position, the main landing gear were found in a partially extended position, and the nose gear and landing gear doors were found in the retracted position. The main landing gear doors had damage consistent with the main landing gear being in a partially extended position, likely in transition, as the airplane slid on the runway. The nose gear doors had damage consistent with the doors being closed during landing. There was substantial damage to the stringers and frames on the underside of the airplane. An operational check of the landing gear was conducted following the accident and the landing gear operated normally and no anomalies were found.

The evidence was consistent with the pilot becoming distracted and failing to extend the landing gear, followed by an attempt to lower the landing gear after the airplane touched down on the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA290 for the full record.