What happened
On February 8, 2002, a Cessna 182 RG Skylane, registration F-GJCG, was conducting a flight from Nîmes Courbessac to Marseille-Provence for a touch-and-go maneuver. During the approach, the pilot was managing a complex traffic environment that included a Canadair performing water scooping, an Airbus on takeoff, an ATR on final approach, and a PA 3ary8 performing a go-around.
As the pilot transitioned through the base leg for runway 32 Left, he focused on monitoring surrounding traffic and performing various cockpit tasks, such as deploying 10 degrees of flaps and activating the carburetor heat. While the pilot was communicating with air traffic control to confirm departure instructions, the landing gear warning alarm became audible just as the aircraft reached the flare. The aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted, resulting in a slide of approximately 100 meters along the runway and causing damage to the propeller.
The investigation
The investigation utilized pilot testimony, radar tracks, and air traffic control recordings. Investigators examined the cockpit configuration and the timing of the landing gear warning alarm. It was noted that the alarm only triggers when the manifold pressure drops below 12 inches of mercury when 10 degrees of flaps are extended. Consequently, the warning did not sound until the aircraft was already in the flare phase.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a failure to extend the landing gear due to a disruption in the pilot's attention.
- High traffic density and a high volume of radio communications contributed to the pilot's distraction.
- The pilot's focus was diverted by the need to monitor multiple aircraft in the vicinity and manage various flight configurations.
- The landing gear warning system was not audible during the approach phase because the specific engine power settings prevented the alarm from triggering until the final moments before touchdown.