The Pilot Realized He Had Forgotten To Extend The Landing Gear

Location: Arcola, Texas Accident Number: CEN25LA087
Date & Time: January 22, 2025, 22:50 Local Registration: N44BN
Aircraft: Epic Aircraft LLC E1000 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Business

Analysis: The pilot reported that he thought he put the landing gear down on the base leg of the traffic pattern before the landing. It was dark with no wind and his approach and landing flare were normal with no indication of any issues until the airplane began to vibrate and he heard noise from the propeller and saw sparks. The pilot realized he had forgotten to extend the landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. 

The pilot said that thinking back on the sequence of events that he could not recall hearing any type of aural warning from the avionics indicating that the landing gear was not extended. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to extend the airplane’s landing gear before landing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov