What happened
On 25 June 2018, a Piper PA-24-180, registration N111DT, was conducting a private flight approaching Leicester Airport from the east. The pilot initially intended to perform a downwind join for Runway 28, a procedure with which they were most familiar. However, after communicating with Leicester Radio and noting minimal traffic on the frequency, the pilot decided to switch to a straight-in approach to save time.
During the final approach, the pilot noticed another aircraft within the circuit. The effort to locate this second aircraft diverted the pilot's attention away from standard cockpit procedures. Consequently, the landing gear was not lowered prior to touchdown. The aircraft made contact with the runway with its undercarriage retracted, causing the plane to slide on its belly before coming to a halt near the right edge of the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the three passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's decision-making process and the sequence of events leading to the gear-up landing. The inquiry reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the specific circumstances of the approach. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage including a bent propeller, engine shock-loading, and abrasions to the fuselage belly skin and lower front cowling, as well as the destruction of the lower radio antennae.