What happened
During a positioning flight from Palm Springs Airport to Boise, the flight crew encountered mechanical issues involving the aircraft's undercarriage shortly after departure. After performing a holding pattern to assess the situation, the crew determined that a return to the departure airport was necessary. Due to the nature of the technical malfunction, the decision was made to execute a landing with the landing gear retracted.
Upon reaching the runway at Palm Springs, the aircraft type (unspecified) touched down without gear extension. The impact caused the plane to slide along the runway surface for several dozen meters before the movement ceased. While the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, there were no fatalities and no injuries reported, as both pilots were able to evacuate the wreckage safely.
Findings
- The crew encountered technical problems with the undercarriage during the initial climb phase of the flight.
- The decision to perform a gear-up landing was made following a period of holding in the circuit.