What happened
On the night of July 5, 2002, a Mooney M20J, registration D-EBRW, was conducting an IFR flight from Dole to Ajaccio. Upon arrival, the pilot was notified by air traffic control that the AJO VOR-DME was out of service, preventing the use of the ILS approach for runway 02.
While maintaining a safe altitude of 5,000 feet, the pilot initiated a locator approach for runway 02. To maintain a descent rate higher than normal, the pilot adopted a steep nose-down attitude, reduced power, and extended the flaps. Due to a tailwind component, the pilot focused heavily on managing the descent profile. During this approach, the aircraft landed on runway 02 with the landing gear retracted, causing damage to the lower part of the fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight path and the established procedures for the Ajaccio aerodrome. The standard procedure for the runway 02 locator approach begins at the CT beacon at 4,000 feet. Because the pilot began the approach at 5,000 feet, a holding pattern would typically have been required to align with the published procedure.
Investigators noted that while a descent rate of 530 feet per minute would be sufficient under no-wind conditions to reach the runway, the pilot's decision to fly a direct final from the CT beacon at 5,000 feet would have required a much steeper descent rate of 1,100 feet per minute. The investigation also considered whether night-time visual illusions contributed to the pilot's perception of the approach slope.
Findings
- The pilot experienced workload issues caused by an intense focus on managing the descent trajectory and compensating for the tailwind.
- This high concentration led to the omission of critical checklists and actions, specifically the extension of the landing gear.
- The pilot did not hear the audible landing gear warning alarm.
- The pilot failed to follow published procedures, attempting a direct approach that deviated from the standard altitude and path requirements.