What happened
On July 26, 1999, at approximately 15:00 local time, a Cessna 172RG, registration CS-DAG, operated by Aeroplano, performed a landing at the Torres Vedras Municipal Aerodrome in Santa Cruz, Portugal. The aircraft had departed for a local VFR recreational flight with a single occupant on board.
During the final approach to runway 17, the pilot received information from the aerodrome traffic service indicating a crosswind of 200º to 240º at 12 to 15 knots. As the aircraft approached the runway, it landed with the landing gear in the retracted position. The impact caused light damage to the aircraft's belly, destroyed several underside antennas (including ADF Loop and Sense, Transponder, and DME), and slightly deformed the engine exhaust. The pilot was uninjured and exited the aircraft unaided.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's qualifications, and the mechanical functionality of the landing gear system. Investigators performed tests on the retractable landing gear using jacks and found no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions; the system and the landing gear warning horn were confirmed to be operating correctly. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions during the approach, noting that the pilot performed the landing procedures from memory rather than using the required checklists.
Findings
- The pilot failed to use the approved checklists for the approach and landing phases of flight.
- Due to the use of memory-based procedures, the pilot did not verify that the landing gear was down and locked.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by the significant crosswind component, which was near the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind limit of 15 knots.
- The pilot did not observe the green gear-down indicator lights and did not notice the landing gear warning horn, which likely sounded during the approach.