Belly landing of training aircraft at Sendai Airport caused by gear-up error

Casualties unknown • Sendai Airport, JP

A Hawker Beechcraft G58 used for flight training performed a belly landing at Sendai Airport after the crew failed to extend the landing gear.

What happened

On August 25, 2016, a Hawker Beechcraft G58, registered JA5807, was conducting touch-and-go training maneuvers at Sendai Airport when it suffered a belly landing on Runway 2/27. The flight was operated by the Independent Administrative Institution Civil Aviation College and carried an instructor and three students.

Prior to takeoff, the instructor noted that the forward cabin door lever appeared slightly out of the locked position, though the cockpit indicator light suggested it was closed. During the flight, a wind whistle from the door caused communication difficulties between the crew members. The instructor decided to continue the training, intending to secure the door during the next landing roll.

As the aircraft transitioned through the traffic pattern, the crew encountered several gear-up warnings. During the final approach, the student pilot flying (PF) was managing high speed and altitude corrections under the instructor's guidance. While performing the landing checklist, the student pilot reported the landing gear as "DOWN THREE GREEN" without visually verifying the gear lever or the cockpit lights. Consequently, the aircraft touched down without the landing gear extended, resulting in significant damage to the propellers, flaps, and fuselage.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the failure to extend the landing gear and the lack of sufficient verification of the gear status. This was driven by the instructor's diminished situational awareness, as he was preoccupied with securing the cabin door and managing the student's flight controls, and the student pilot's reflexive response to checklist items without visual confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-08-25 Hawker Beech Craft G58 accident near Sendai Airport, JP?

A Hawker Beechcraft G58 used for flight training performed a belly landing at Sendai Airport after the crew failed to extend the landing gear.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-08-25 involved a Hawker Beech Craft G58, registration JA5807, operated by Independent Administrative Institution Civil Aviation College, at Sendai Airport, JP.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the failure to extend the landing gear and the lack of sufficient verification of the gear status. This was driven by the instructor's diminished situational awareness, as he was preoccupied with securing the cabin door and managing the student's flight controls, and the student pilot's…

Investigation report by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). Original record: https://jtsb.mlit.go.jp/eng-air_report/JA5807.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) - Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

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