Flight History
On October 10, 2009, a privately owned Piper PA-28R-201T, registration JA4079, departed from Nanki Shirahama Airport at approximately 14:10 Japan Standard Time (JST) for Matsuyama Airport. The aircraft carried a captain and one passenger. The flight plan specified visual flight rules (VFR), a cruising speed of 120 knots, and an endurance of 4 hours. The planned route included Kochi VOR/DME.
According to air traffic control (ATC) communication records and radar data, the aircraft contacted Kochi Approach around 14:47, requesting radar monitoring. At 14:54, the captain overheard turbulence information near Mt. Ishizuchi from another aircraft's communication. The aircraft passed over Kochi City at 15:01 and began descending from 7,900 feet at 15:13. The landing gear was extended at 15:14 but was retracted again at 15:21 as the aircraft climbed back to 7,200 feet. At 15:27, the captain reported to Matsuyama Tower at 7,000 feet, 10 nautical miles east of the airport. The aircraft executed a left base approach, and landing clearance was issued at 15:32:48. At 15:35:16, the captain reported that the aircraft had belly-landed on the runway.
Accident Sequence
The captain stated that after hearing about turbulence near Mt. Ishizuchi, he deviated seaward to avoid cumulonimbus clouds. During this diversion, he lost situational awareness and could not receive the Matsuyama VOR/DME signal. He used a portable GPS to reorient. While descending, he extended the landing gear to slow down but later retracted it to gain speed when he realized the airport was farther than expected. Eventually, he spotted the airport at about 2,000 feet and 5 nautical miles east. Concentrating on landing, he did not re-extend the landing gear. The aircraft touched down at 75 knots with flaps fully extended. The captain believed it was a normal landing until the gear-up landing occurred. The passenger reported hearing an abnormal sound upon touchdown; the propeller stopped after one or two revolutions. The aircraft slid on its belly and sustained substantial damage to the propeller, flap edges, and forward landing gear doors, but the main frame appeared intact. No fire broke out, and neither occupant was injured.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28R-201T, a single-engine retractable-gear airplane, privately owned and operated. The captain held a valid pilot license and was familiar with the aircraft. The passenger was not a pilot. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was due to expire, which influenced the timing of the flight.
Investigation Findings
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) investigated the accident. Examination of the aircraft revealed no pre-existing mechanical anomalies. The landing gear warning system was functional, but the captain reported that wearing a headset prevented him from hearing the warning horn. He also stated that he had not referred to the landing checklist. The ATC controller reported normal approach communications and good visibility (approximately 40 km) with wind from 200° at 5 knots. The controller did not visually check the landing gear position from the tower.
Probable Cause
The JTSB determined that the probable cause of this accident was that the pilot forgot to extend the landing gear for landing because his attention was distracted by the operations to avoid the cumulonimbus and to look for the airport after losing his orientation.