Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to extend the landing gear before touchdown, which resulted in an inadvertent wheels-up landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot allowed his attention to be diverted, and the resultant interference with his landing routine (habit pattern).
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during an approach to land, he became preoccupied with hold short instructions and traffic advisories. He indicated that this preoccupation led him to deviate from his landing routine, which resulted in a failure to lower the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane landed gear-up, and was damaged.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 6, 1996, about 0921 central daylight time, a Beech 58, N4478W, registered to Maddox Enterprises, Inc., was landed gear-up at the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 0800 from the Walker County-Bevill Field Airport, Jasper, Alabama. The pilot stated that the flight was cleared to land runway 14, hold short of runway 5. He further stated that he became pre-occupied by the hold short instructions and traffic advisories, and landed gear-up. He further stated that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn when he reduced the power to land. No determination was made as to whether the gear warning was operational. -