Background
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 35 registered F-BASF, was manufactured in 1962 and powered by a single Continental IO-470-N engine. The private flight was operated by a 67-year-old pilot holding a Private Pilot's Licence with 1,300 hours total flying experience, including 800 hours on type. His recent flying included 35 hours in the last 90 days and 17 hours in the last 28 days. One passenger was on board.
Flight Sequence
After departing Brest, the pilot contacted Jersey Approach Control. The controller instructed the pilot to remain below 1,000 ft in the vicinity of the Fremont TV mast. Upon reaching the mast, the controller asked the pilot to report when visual with a Cherokee aircraft and then to follow that Cherokee, which was being radar vectored toward Runway 26.
Realizing he was closing on the Cherokee, the pilot considered extending the landing gear but decided to delay this action because the airspeed exceeded the 140 kt landing gear limiting speed. During the final approach, the two aircraft were very close, and the pilot maintained some height to avoid the Cherokee's prop wash. He focused intently on the aircraft ahead and listened to the tower controller in case a go-around was directed. The stall warning sounded. The Cherokee cleared the runway, and the pilot received landing clearance. However, the landing gear was not lowered, and the aircraft touched down with the gear retracted.
Damage
The accident resulted in damage to the propeller, flaps, cowl flaps, and radio antennas. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained injuries.