What happened
The incident occurred at the conclusion of a pleasure flight. During the final approach phase, the pilot initiated the prelanding checklist. At this critical moment, the pilot encountered difficulty establishing communication with the control tower. This technical issue interrupted the flow of the checklist procedure. In the process of managing the radio and the checklist, the document was dropped to the floor of the cockpit. The interruption and loss of the physical checklist caused the pilot to fail to extend the landing gear before touchdown.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the hard landing. Examination of the cockpit environment revealed that the prelanding checklist had been displaced from its intended position. The primary factor identified was the pilot's distraction during the communication attempt with air traffic control, which led to the checklist being dropped and subsequently ignored.
Findings
The failure to extend the landing gear was directly linked to a breakdown in checklist discipline. The pilot was distracted by the difficulty in contacting the tower, which caused an interruption in the prelanding routine. This distraction resulted in the checklist falling to the cockpit floor, preventing the completion of the gear extension procedure.
Safety message
Pilots should maintain strict adherence to checklists during critical phases of flight. Interruptions due to radio communication issues must not compromise the execution of essential safety items. It is recommended to secure checklists in holders or use electronic alternatives to prevent loss or displacement during high-workload periods.