What happened
On 25 June 2008, an Aeromot AMT-200 Super Ximango, registration G-BWNY, was conducting a private local flight near RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire. During the flight, the pilot observed a heavy rain shower approaching rapidly. To avoid the inclement weather, the pilot decided to terminate the flight early and return to the airfield.
While joining the circuit on the downwind leg of runway 25, the pilot attempted to manage a higher-than-normal workload by merging his circuit joining procedures with his downwind leg checklists. During this process, the pilot failed to verify the landing gear position. As the pilot deployed the airbrakes during the approach, a configuration warning buzzer activated to indicate the gear remained retracted. However, because the pilot was wearing a noise-attenuating headset, the warning went unheard. The aircraft subsequently landed with the gear up, causing shock-loading damage to the propeller blades.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the missed checklist item and the failure to perceive the cockpit warning. The investigation established that the pilot's decision to combine different phases of flight checks increased the risk of error. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the audibility of the aircraft's warning systems while wearing headsets.
Findings
- The pilot's attempt to consolidate checks during a period of increased workload led to the omission of the landing gear check.
- The use of noise-attenuating headsets prevented the pilot from hearing the configuration warning buzzer.
- The aircraft had been modified so that the warning buzzer was transmitted through the intercom, but the headset's noise-canceling properties effectively neutralized the alert.
- There were no injuries to the crew or passengers, though the propeller sustained damage.