What happened
On 15 June 2022, at approximately 11:13 UTC, a Beechcraft B200 was performing a flight training check at the Airport of Liège (EBLG), Belgium. The aircraft had departed from the Airport of Antwerp (EBAW) for a non-commercial proficiency check. During the flight, the crew attempted a 'stop and go' landing maneuver, which required a flapless approach.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the landing gear remained retracted. This resulted in the belly of the plane making contact with the runway surface. Following the initial impact, the aircraft skidded along the runway for a distance of 410 meters before coming to a complete halt. There were no injuries reported, and the crew was able to evacuate the aircraft on their own. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the incident.
The investigation
The Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU(Be)) is currently conducting a safety investigation into the event. The investigation has progressed through the analysis and report writing phases. Investigators have examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the sequence of events leading to the gear-up contact. As part of the standard international procedure, the draft findings will be shared with EASA, the Belgian DGTA/DGLV, and the NTSB for review.
Findings
Preliminary analysis has identified several contributing factors that led to the accident. The primary cause was the failure to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown. While various contributing elements have been noted, the investigation has not yet identified any systemic safety issues that would necessitate formal safety recommendations.