Accident Overview
On Monday, November 16, 2015, a privately owned Beechcraft A36, registration JA3762, with a captain and one passenger on board, took off from runway 12 of Sendai Airport for touch-and-go training. During the training, the aircraft made a belly landing, causing damage to the fuselage.
Flight History
According to statements from the pilot and passenger, the captain planned to conduct basic flight training followed by touch-and-go training, but due to a change in the passenger's business, only the touch-and-go training was performed. After takeoff at 12:15 JST, the aircraft held as instructed by air traffic control. During the approach, the captain attempted to lower the flaps to 10 degrees but inadvertently set them to full down. While focusing on correcting the flaps and trim, the captain did not lower the landing gear. The passenger later took over piloting but initially mistook runway 09 for runway 12. After correcting the approach, the captain resumed control and flew the aircraft to the runway 12 threshold. The aircraft landed with the gear still retracted, causing the propellers to strike the runway. The engine was shut down, and the aircraft slid to a stop on the runway centerline. Neither occupant remembered hearing the landing gear warning horn.
Injuries to Persons
None.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage:
- Fuselage: damage to the bottom surface, including major structural members
- Wing: damage to the trailing edge of the flap; deformation of the pitot tube
- Landing gear: damage to the nose gear doors
- Engine: damage to the right and left exhaust pipes
- Propeller: bending of every blade tip
Personnel Information
The captain, aged 54, held a private pilot certificate (airplane) with type rating for single-piston engine (land). His total flight time was 179 hours 22 minutes, with no flight time on the accident aircraft type. He had not flown a retractable gear airplane since November 2009. The passenger, aged 76, held a commercial pilot certificate and had approximately 17,400 total flight hours, with about 50 hours on the Beechcraft A36.
Additional Information
The landing gear switch handle was found in the "Up" position after the accident. The aircraft's landing gear warning system, which sounds when throttle is reduced below about 12 inHg manifold pressure with gear up, was checked post-accident. A part of the rod linked with the throttle lever had uneven wear; however, the system had operated properly during the 100-hour inspection in April 2015.
Analysis
The investigation determined involvement of pilots and aircraft. No involvement of weather was identified.