What happened
On October 9, 2011, a private Embrael EMB-711ST, registration PT-RKL, was performing a local flight departing from the Aeródromo Nacional de Aviação (SWNV) in Goiânia, Brazil. During the approach for landing, the pilot decided to delay the extension of the flaps and the landing gear until the aircraft was closer to the runway.
As the aircraft entered the final approach for runway 13, the pilot extended the flaps to only 10 degrees. During the reduction of power for touchdown, the pilot heard the landing gear unsafe warning; however, there was insufficient time to correct the configuration. The aircraft subsequently touched down without the landing gear extended, causing the propeller blades to strike the ground and resulting in an abrupt engine stoppage. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller, engine, and fuselage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance records, weight and balance, and engine/propeller logs up to date. The pilot was properly licensed and medically certified for the operation. The investigation also verified that the landing gear safety systems, including both visual and audible alarms, were functioning according to the manufacturer's manual. The alarms only triggered once power was reduced below 14 inches, as the flaps had not been extended beyond 10 degrees, which aligned with the operational manual's parameters.
Weather conditions were favorable for VFR flight, and there was no evidence of excessive workload or air traffic congestion at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to deviate from the standard checklist sequence by delaying gear and flap extension contributed to the error.
- Failure to extend the landing gear was the primary cause of the incident.
- Errors in the decision-making process and reliance on memory rather than strict checklist adherence were identified as contributing factors.