What happened
On May 2, 2021, a Canadair CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415) was performing a local training flight at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport in Ontario. The aircraft, operated by the Province of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, was engaged in a specific flight exercise involving a flapless approach and landing. During the third circuit on Runway 12, the flight crew performed an unintentional gear-up landing. The aircraft made contact with the runway surface with its landing gear retracted, resulting in significant damage to the belly of the plane. The aircraft eventually came to a complete stop on the runway, and there were no injuries reported.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the incident. The scope of the inquiry focused on the circumstances surrounding the training maneuver and the sequence of events that led to the landing gear remaining retracted during the touchdown on Runway 12.