DEN00LA179
NTSB Identification: DEN00LA179 .
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Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Wednesday, September 27, 2000 in BLANDING, UT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/8/2001
Aircraft: Piper PA-31-350, registration: N114SA
Injuries: 5 Uninjured.

While on a passenger carrying, on demand, air taxi flight, the pilot made an approach to land at an uncontrolled airport to pick up additional passengers. During the approach, he was discussing the shortened runway, due to construction, with the UNICOM operator. The pilot said that due to the distraction of his conversation with the UNICOM operator, he forgot to lower the landing gear and landed with the landing gear retracted. He heard the landing gear warning horn when he reduced power, in the flare, for touchdown.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to follow the checklist and lower the landing gear for landing. A factor was diverted attention.

Full narrative available