What happened
On July 8, 2001, a Laverda Falco F8L, registration I-SALE, was conducting a recreational flight from Fonte di Papa to Rieti Airport. During the approach to runway 34L, the pilot requested a long final approach. However, the aircraft attempted to land with its landing gear in the retracted position. Upon contact with the runway, the aircraft slid for approximately 80 meters before veering to the right, eventually coming to a halt at a 9/0-degree angle relative to the runway centerline.
There were no injuries to the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft. The impact caused significant damage to the propeller blades due to ground contact, as well as damage to the engine's lower cowling, the underside of the fuselage, and the flaps.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the gear-up landing. Investigators reviewed radio communications between the pilot and the Rieti AFIS, which confirmed the pilot's request for a long final. The investigation also examined the mechanical state of the aircraft's landing gear system. No technical defects or failures in the landing gear deployment mechanism were identified, and the aircraft's airworthiness was not in question.
Findings
- The pilot failed to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown.
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the required landing checklist procedures.
- The pilot admitted to forgetting to extend the gear during the landing sequence.