What happened
On October 29, 2006, a privately owned YAK 52, registration RA-44462, was performing a recreational flight departing from Lagos Municipal Aerodrome. During the approach to landing, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear, leaving it in the retracted position.
As the aircraft reached the flare phase, the propeller blades struck the asphalt runway, leaving marks for approximately 70 meters. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power to climb away and perform a go-around. However, the impact had damaged the propeller blades, causing a loss of engine traction. Consequently, the aircraft was unable to gain sufficient altitude or airspeed to clear obstacles.
Unable to return to the runway, the pilot performed an emergency landing on the N125 highway, located about half a mile from the runway. The aircraft struck small trees and crashed into a greenhouse, causing damage to the structure and plants. The pilot sustained serious injuries, specifically a head injury caused by striking the instrument panel during the impact.