What happened
The commercial pilot and two other company employees were conducting a local flight to familiarize themselves with a newly acquired Piper PA-31 Navajo. Following a short duration of flight, the pilot did not consult the aircraft's checklist. Consequently, he failed to lower the landing gear before attempting to land.
The aircraft touched down on its belly rather than its wheels. The impact resulted in significant damage to the airframe. No injuries were reported among the occupants during this incident.
The investigation
Examination of the Piper PA-31 Navajo confirmed that it had landed without the landing gear extended. The mechanical inspection verified that the failure was not due to a hydraulic or mechanical malfunction of the gear system, but rather an omission in the pre-landing procedure.
Findings
The primary factor leading to this accident was the pilot's decision to bypass the standard checklist. By failing to verify the position of the landing gear during the approach and landing phase, the pilot allowed the aircraft to land in an unsafe configuration. This procedural error directly caused the gear-up landing and subsequent structural damage to the airplane.
Safety message
Pilots operating newly acquired or unfamiliar aircraft types must strictly adhere to established checklists. Familiarization flights do not excuse deviations from standard operating procedures, particularly during critical phases of flight such as landing.