Incident Overview
A pilot conducting a landing approach experienced a gear-up landing after a last-minute runway reassignment. The flight was initially inbound for a straight-in landing when air traffic control directed the pilot to a different runway. During the approach, the pilot performed pre-landing configuration checks from memory. However, he failed to extend the landing gear, resulting in the aircraft touching down with the gear still retracted.
Pilot's Report
The pilot stated that while on short final, he believed he saw the illumination of the green landing gear position indicator lights. Upon reflection, he realized that what he had observed was actually the reflection of the rays from the rising sun off the instrument panel. This visual illusion led him to believe the gear was down and locked, when in fact it was not.
Contributing Factors
The accident sequence involved the pilot's reliance on memory for checklist actions and the misinterpretation of a visual cue during a critical phase of flight. The change in runway assignment may have added to the pilot's workload, but no causal link is established beyond the pilot's own account of events.
Damage and Injuries
The source does not specify the extent of damage to the aircraft or any injuries to occupants. No further details are available.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the source, is the pilot's failure to lower the landing gear due to mistaking the reflection of the rising sun for the green landing gear position indicator lights.