3rd of February 2016, Gear Up, Blog #689

A North American P-51C-5-NT (which started its operational life with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 42-103645 on the 7th of April 1944) was operating a VFR flight out of Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) on this day in aviation history.

The aircraft in its final position (© FAA)

At 10:15 lt (local time), the aircraft took off from Dallas Executive Airport. The weather was good, the following was recorded by the pilot: wind 340 at 10 knots, no clouds, with unlimited visibility.

After an uneventful flight, the aircraft was lined up for a landing on runway 35 at Dallas Executive Airport, a 3800 feet long and 150 feet wide concrete runway. The aircraft touched down on its belly at 11.00 lt. This caused substantial damage to the fuselage, left-wing and engine. The propellor was sheared off at the hub. The pilot did not sustain any injuries.

The nose section of the aircraft (Source; www.kathrynsreport.com © Unknown)

The belly landing was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) they determined that the probable cause of the accident was;

"The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage during landing."

In the pilot/operator Aircraft Accident/Incident report, completed by the pilot, the following recommendation was given by the pilot;

"This land event could have been prevented with a higher degree of diligence to checklists and memory checks.

Overview of the accident site, note the propellor and its hub just aft of the left-hand wing-tip  (Source; www.kathrynsreport.com © Unknown)

The NTSB recorded the following findings;

• Aircraft Gear extension and retract sys - Not used/operated

• Personnel issues Use of checklist - Pilot

• Personnel issues Task monitoring/vigilance - Pilot

The aircraft was repaired and returned to flight. Sadly on the 4th of November 2021 another gear-up landing, again resulting in substantial damage.