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NTSB Report

October 19, 2025 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5865P

Eau Claire, WI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 2025
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Eau Claire, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250 (1959)
Tail Number
N5865P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN26LA025

The pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he selected the landing gear selector down but did not verify the landing gear was extended using the landing gear position indicator light. The pilot heard an unknown faint audible alarm as he approached the runway, which he later discovered to be the airplane’s landing gear warning horn. The pilot continued to the runway, and subsequently the airplane landed on its belly and slid off the side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. According to a mechanic who aided in the recovery of the airplane, the landing gear was found partially extended. He stated that during recovery operations, the landing gear extended freely by extending the emergency gear handle and moving the hand lever. The airplane was moved to a hangar and placed on jacks. The landing gear circuit breaker was found tripped. The landing gear linkage was re-connected from the emergency extension, and the circuit breaker was reset. The landing gear was cycled multiple times with no anomalies found. The landing gear warning horn and position indicator lights functioned normally. The pilot stated that if he had checked the landing gear position indicator before landing, he would have manually extended the landing gear. Additionally, he had never heard the landing gear warning horn before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was properly extended before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unfamiliarity with the landing gear warning horn and failure to verify the gear was extended with the cockpit position indicators.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he selected the landing gear selector down but did not verify the landing gear was extended using the landing gear position indicator light. The pilot heard an unknown faint audible alarm as he approached the runway, which he later discovered to be the airplane’s landing gear warning horn. The pilot continued to the runway, and subsequently the airplane landed on its belly and slid off the side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. According to a mechanic who aided in the recovery of the airplane, the landing gear was found partially extended. He stated that during recovery operations, the landing gear extended freely by extending the emergency gear handle and moving the hand lever. The airplane was moved to a hangar and placed on jacks. The landing gear circuit breaker was found tripped. The landing gear linkage was re-connected from the emergency extension, and the circuit breaker was reset. The landing gear was cycled multiple times with no anomalies found. The landing gear warning horn and position indicator lights functioned normally. The pilot stated that if he had checked the landing gear position indicator before landing, he would have manually extended the landing gear. Additionally, he had never heard the landing gear warning horn before the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest AirportChippewa Valley Rgnl (0nm N)
Runway04/2
Runway Length8101 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5865P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1-AA5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 F / 30 F
Altimeter29.80 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data