On September 27, 2026, a private Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II, registered N1517X, declared an emergency at Camarillo Airport, California, after experiencing a landing gear malfunction that left its right main landing gear stuck in the retracted position.
With three people aboard, the pilot repeatedly circled the airport while attempting to troubleshoot the problem. The pilot and air traffic controllers explored several options, including manual landing gear extension, checking the circuit breaker, performing steep turns and using G-forces in an attempt to dislodge the stuck gear.
During multiple low approaches, air traffic controllers visually confirmed that the nose gear and left main gear were extended, while the right main gear remained almost entirely retracted. A possible touch-and-go maneuver was suggested to see whether it would release the gear, but the pilot expressed discomfort with attempting it.
After exhausting troubleshooting options and with fuel decreasing, the pilot decided to proceed with a two-wheel landing. The crew informed the tower that they might exit the runway to the right and that they planned to shut down the aircraft’s electrical system after landing.
Airport fire and rescue crews were placed on standby as the aircraft made its final approach to Runway 26. The pilot successfully landed the aircraft with the nose gear and left main landing gear down, while the right main gear remained retracted.
All three occupants escaped without injuries, and no injuries were reported on the ground. The aircraft avoided a more serious accident thanks to the controlled landing.
The exact mechanical cause of the landing gear malfunction was not established in the provided ATC recordings. The incident demonstrated the importance of careful decision-making, coordination with air traffic control and persistence in handling an in-flight emergency.
