Accident Overview
On Monday, August 14, 2023, a Hawker Beechcraft G58, registration JA51HA, operated by Honda Airways Co., Ltd., was conducting touch-and-go training at Oita Airport. The aircraft made a belly landing on Runway 01, resulting in destruction of the airframe. No fire broke out. On board were an instructor and two trainees; none were injured.
Flight History
The flight departed Oita Airport at approximately 09:18 JST for a training flight to change class rating on the competence certification for the trainees, who were commercial pilots. The instructor occupied the right front seat, Trainee A the left front seat, and Trainee B the right aft seat. The training was the last session before the trainees' competency assessment, during which the instructor refrained from giving advice to simulate assessment conditions.
After takeoff, the aircraft conducted mid-air operations, including simulated single-engine training by pulling one throttle to idle. At about 10:00, the crew began a series of six planned touch-and-go landings on Runway 01. The first two touch-and-go landings were completed with ATC clearances and some holding instructions due to other traffic.
Events Leading to the Belly Landing
At 10:19:35 on the upwind leg of the third touch-and-go, the instructor initiated single-engine training by pulling the right engine throttle to idle. Trainee A, who was flying, mistakenly applied the opposite rudder, causing a large right yaw and nose-down attitude. The aircraft experienced a heading change of about 19° right, roll angle of 17° right, and pitch angle of 13° down. Trainee A became occupied with corrective actions.
During this time, ATC provided traffic information about a preceding aircraft. The instructor responded after Trainee A was unable to. The aircraft was initially instructed to enter the left downwind leg, but ATC revised the instruction to follow the preceding aircraft into the right downwind leg due to noise considerations. This change, combined with the earlier control error, caused confusion for Trainee A.
Trainee A chose a wider downwind leg to avoid wake turbulence and extended the downwind leg for separation. Consequently, Trainee A delayed lowering the landing gear, believing it was appropriate given the extended pattern. The instructor noticed the gear was not down but assumed the delay was deliberate.
During the base turn, ATC informed the aircraft that a touch-and-go was unavailable due to wake turbulence from the preceding aircraft but offered a low approach. Trainee A, unfamiliar with this instruction, hesitated. The instructor advised a low approach, and Trainee A reported continuing the approach.
Belly Landing
The aircraft performed the landing check during the base turn, but the landing gear was not extended. The aircraft contacted the runway with the gear retracted, resulting in a belly landing. The aircraft was destroyed; no injuries occurred.
Investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board investigated the accident. An accredited representative from the United States, as the state of design and manufacture, participated. The report details the flight history and crew actions leading to the belly landing.