There Are Consequences to Making a Gear-Up Landing

Dealing with FAA, NTSB, and insurance firm was all a learning experience for this pilot.

Scott Peters

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

[Illustration: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

A landing gear retraction error occurred post-landing when a pilot mistakenly pulled the gear switch instead of the flap switch, causing a gear-up slide on the runway.
Witnesses reported the event to the FAA and NTSB, initiating an investigation that ultimately classified it as an "incident," not an "accident," thanks to the pilots' honesty and AOPA legal support.
The experience highlighted the importance of truthfulness and cooperation when dealing with regulatory bodies and insurance, leading to a fair resolution and remedial training for the Pilot in Command.
The key lesson learned was the critical need to visually verify controls before actuation, an oversight that was chalked up to experience, with the plane eventually being repaired and returned to service.

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On November 3, 2019 (coincidentally, my son’s birthday), I was flying with my fellow co-owner and pilot in our Beechcraft B55 Baron. We both had hundreds of hours and landings in that plane.

It was a beautiful CAVU day. Jim was in the left seat; I was in the right seat. The plane was current and legal, and I was current and legal. Jim, however, was out of his medical due to some recent surgery, but due to get it back soon. So, of course, that made me PIC, which was fine.