Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was lowered before touchdown.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had been cleared by the tower for closed traffic. After reporting downwind abeam the tower he prepared the aircraft for landing, and said he firmly believed that he had completed the GUMP check. He turned base to final, set up his approach speed, and landed gear up. The pilot stated in an interview that he forgot to lower the gear. The aircraft was inspected and no pre-existing anomalies were noted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 28, 1997, at 0904 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech V35B, N1834Z, landed gear up on runway 12 at the Whiteman Airpark, Pacoima, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at 0900. The pilot reported that he had been cleared by the tower for closed traffic, and to report his position downwind abeam the tower. The pilot stated that he "firmly" believed he had completed the "GUMP" check. He stated that he turned base to final, set up his approach speed, and then landed gear up. In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that he "forgot to lower the gear." The aircraft was inspected and no pre-existing anomalies were noted. -