Landing gear failure leads to runway excursion at Albert aerodrome

Casualties unknown • :, FR

A Yakovlev Yak 52 experienced a runway excursion at Albert aerodrome after the pilot failed to extend the landing gear during landing.

What happened

On June 12, 2010, at 19:15, a private Yakovlev Yak 52, registration G-YYAK, was conducting a flight from Lille to Albert Bray. During the arrival phase, the pilot joined the traffic pattern on a right-hand downwind leg for runway 27. As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot heard the propeller strike the ground, which subsequently caused the aircraft to veer laterally off the right side of the runway. The aircraft sustained minor damage during the incident.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the configuration of the landing gear and the cockpit procedures. The Yakovlev Yak 52 is equipped with a landing gear control lever, a gear lock, three green lights indicating the gear is down, and three red lights indicating the gear is up. Additionally, the aircraft features external mechanical indicators on the engine cowling and wingtips to show gear extension, though these do not indicate whether the gear is locked.

According to the flight manual, the gear lock must be engaged only after the gear has been extended and before landing to prevent accidental retraction on the ground. The lever is moved from a neutral position on the left to a locked position on the right, and should be returned to neutral after takeoff.

Investigators found that following a recent suggestion from an instructor, the pilot had moved the gear lock to the right position after departing Lille, which prevented the gear from extending. During the approach, the pilot was managing a sudden transfer of controls from the passenger, who had taken command to photograph aircraft on the ground. This unexpected change in the cockpit led the pilot to focus on managing an excessive approach speed of 180 km/h, which he reduced to 150 km/h.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the failure to verify that the landing gear had been extended.
  • The pilot had intentionally engaged the gear lock in the closed position following advice from an instructor.
  • The sudden transfer of control from the passenger to the pilot created unexpected stress and distraction.
  • The pilot did not operate the landing gear lever or check the cockpit warning lights during the final approach.

Probable cause

The landing gear remained retracted because the pilot had previously engaged the gear lock in the closed position and failed to extend the gear or check the cockpit indicators during the landing sequence, a failure compounded by the stress of an unexpected transfer of controls.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-06-12 Incident survenu le 12 juin 2010 à l’avion accident near :, FR?

A Yakovlev Yak 52 experienced a runway excursion at Albert aerodrome after the pilot failed to extend the landing gear during landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-06-12 involved a Incident survenu le 12 juin 2010 à l’avion, at :, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The landing gear remained retracted because the pilot had previously engaged the gear lock in the closed position and failed to extend the gear or check the cockpit indicators during the landing sequence, a failure compounded by the stress of an unexpected transfer of controls.

Loading the flight search…