What happened
On August 5, 2014, a Cessna 210L, registration PT-KQM, was performing a test flight to evaluate airworthiness following a scheduled 200-hour maintenance inspection. The flight was conducted by the aircraft owner, who was returning to the origin airport, São José do Rio Preto (SBSR), after completing various operational system tests.
As the pilot crossed the runway threshold and initiated the flare, the aircraft's landing gear warning horn activated. However, the aircraft subsequently impacted the runway on its fuselage because the landing gear remained retracted. The aircraft slid approximately 170 meters along the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the propeller, engine, and the lower fuselage, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the operational sequence of the flight. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had recently undergone a 200-hour inspection at a certified maintenance organization and that all required logs for the airframe, engine, and propeller were up to date. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits.
During the flight, the pilot had performed several maneuvers and tested the landing gear system, noting that the gear commanded, indicator lights, and the audible warning horn all functioned correctly. Upon inspection of the aircraft while on jacks, investigators verified that the landing gear system was operating according to the manufacturer's specifications, with the gear extending and locking normally. The cockpit warning lights and the audible buzzer were also confirmed to be fully functional.
While the pilot utilized checklists during certain phases of the flight, they could not recall if the checklist was used specifically prior to the landing phase. The pilot noted that the warning horn sounded as power was reduced, but there was insufficient time to perform any corrective action.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear.
- The pilot's oversight was compounded by the fact that the checklist was not confirmed to have been used during the approach phase.