What happened
On January 22, 2013, an Embraer EMB-810D, registration PT-VQO, departed from Fazenda Araribá (SJWE) in Mato Grosso, Brazil, bound for the Canarana Aerodrome (SWEK) for refueling. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules with one pilot and one passenger on board.
While established on the downwind leg for runway 18, the pilot was notified that another aircraft was approaching on a long final for the opposite runway, 36. In an effort to clear the runway quickly and avoid a potential go-around or conflict with the arriving aircraft, the pilot decided to execute a short landing. During the final approach, the pilot realized that the landing gear was not in the down and locked position. Rather than aborting the landing, the pilot proceeded with the approach. The aircraft subsequently touched down on its belly, causing damage to the propeller, flaps, and the lower fuselage. The pilot and passenger were both uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA VI confirmed that the pilot held valid medical and technical certifications and was experienced on the route. The aircraft had only 5.5 hours of flight time since its last annual maintenance inspection.
Investigators noted that the Canaruna Aerodrome does not have air traffic control, meaning traffic coordination relies on bilateral communication between pilots. The investigation established that the pilot failed to perform the landing gear checklist during the final approach. Furthermore, because the aircraft underwent maintenance following the event, a definitive analysis of the landing gear's mechanical functionality was not possible.