What happened
On June 9, 2009, a Dutch-registered Glasair II RG, registration PH-EQV, was performing a local leisure flight at Faro Airport. During the approach to runway 28, the pilot was alerted by air traffic control to the potential for wake turbulence due to a Boeing 737 taking off just ahead. To maintain better control and mitigate the effects of possible turbulence, the pilot opted for a flapless approach.
During the initial flare, the pilot experienced several jolts. Believing these were caused by wake turbulence, the pilot aborted the landing and initiated a go-around. On the second approach, the pilot experienced similar jolts but decided to continue the landing. The pilot only realized the landing gear had not been extended when the propeller tips made contact with the runway pavement, resulting in a belly landing. The two occupants on board were able to exit the aircraft unharmed.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration and the pilot's response to cockpit warnings. The investigation established that the aircraft's landing gear system was functional, as subsequent tests on jacks showed the extension and retraction mechanisms, as well as the indication lights, were operating normally.
Investigators found that a red warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel during the approach. However, the pilot misidentified this light as a low fuel warning. Furthermore, because the pilot was performing a flapless approach, the aural configuration horn—which normally triggers when the throttle is retarded—did not activate, leaving the pilot unaware of the gear status.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's failure to select the landing gear down position prior to landing.
- The pilot failed to perform a proper checklist to confirm the gear position.
- The pilot misinterpreted the red landing gear warning light as a fuel-related warning.
- The aural warning system failed to alert the pilot because the flaps were retracted during the approach.
- The tower controller did not relay critical information to the pilot regarding the missing gear, despite being alerted to the situation by an ambulance crew that had witnessed sparks during the first approach attempt.