Why does this have to happen?

[cliffy]

 

[Hank]

Just saw that myself. The pilot stopped talking to ATC; the transponder stopped; the pilot deviated off course on final; the Mooney landed gear up.

I'm thinking there was an electrical failure (I once had a total electrical failure just after breaking out and turning inbound on a VOR-A approach). But he was in controlled airspace; airlines were also inbound to the same airport. I'm guessing he was mentally overloaded trying to stay on approach (one airliner requested ILS; what were ceilings?), and couldn't deal with navigation, worrying about ATC & Tower, worrying about the airlines, that he had trouble with emergency gear extension. 

But the landing airliner complimented him for being right on centerline!

[Andy95W]

The last US Air flight was in October 2008.  After that they were all “Cactus” because the old America West bought them.  So this was quite a while ago.  I wonder if the NTSB is done with their investigation of this incident yet? 

[Aaviationist]

Before someone starts going on (incorrectly) about insurance rates, this was like - 10 years ago.