Cessna 172 RG N9551B

Summary

On 14 April 2001 at about 03:00 local time, a Cessna 172 RG registered N9551B was involved in an accident near Gig Harbor, Washington, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 April 2001 at 03:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gig Harbor, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Tacoma Narrows (TIW)

Coordinates

47.2902, -122.6196

Aircraft

Cessna 172 RG

Registration

N9551B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tacoma Narrows → Tacoma Narrows

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA01LA071

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to extend the airplane's landing gear while landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff he noted a "high pitched hissing tone" in conjunction with the illumination of the airplane's low-voltage light. He reported that the situation lasted for a few seconds before the hissing tone subsided and the low voltage light returned to normal. The pilot stated that he thought there "might" be a problem with the aircraft's engine and elected to return to the airport and land. The pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees and attempted to land on the opposing runway. After completing the turn, the pilot realigned the airplane on the runway centerline. He stated " I thought I did reach over and put the landing gear lever in the down position, but I don't remember for sure." The pilot stated that just before touchdown, he heard what he thought was the sound of the propeller striking the runway. He applied power and initiated a go-around. The pilot stated that he then aborted the go-around and "put the gear down" in an attempt to land the airplane on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down on the runway and the right main landing gear leg collapsed. The airplane made several heading changes before coming to rest in a grassy area northeast of runway. A FAA Inspector from the Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane after the accident and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.