What happened
On September 13, 2003, a Cessna 182 RG (registration LX-AIT) departed from the Villefranche-de-Rouergue aerodrome for a local flight. The pilot was accompanied by two passengers. During the flight, the pilot became aware that one of the passengers, who had a known medical history, was experiencing a sudden medical episode.
In response to the medical emergency, the pilot decided to return to the airfield. The pilot joined the standard traffic pattern and communicated intentions via self-announcement. As the pilot prepared for landing, the standard engine parameters were set, and the intention was to land in full flaps configuration. During the final approach, as the pilot reduced power for the flare, the landing gear warning alarm sounded. Due to the low altitude, the pilot determined that a go-around was not possible. Consequently, the aircraft landed on its belly, resulting in slight damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The investigation focused on why the landing gear was not extended despite the warning alarm. The investigation established that the landing gear warning system is triggered either when the manifold pressure drops below 12 inches of mercury or when the flaps are extended beyond 25 degrees while the gear is retracted.
In this instance, the pilot only heard the alarm during the final stages of the approach when the power was reduced, which triggered the manifold pressure condition. At that moment, the flaps had not yet been fully extended. Ground tests confirmed that the warning system was functioning according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an interruption of the pilot's attention caused by preoccupation with the passenger's medical condition.
- A contributing factor was the delayed logic of the warning system, which results in a late notification of the gear's unlocked status if the flaps are not yet fully extended.
- The pilot's frequent use of the aircraft for IFR flights, where landing is typically performed with 10 degrees of flaps, may have influenced the automated execution of the landing checklist.