What happened
On 1 July 2009, a Beech 36, registration N7205T, was conducting a private flight from Tatenhill Airfield. Prior to departing Tatenhill, the pilot performed several short-field takeoff and landing practice circuits. Following these maneuvers, the pilot proceeded to Temple Bruer Airfield in Lincolnshire, an airfield that was unfamiliar to him.
Upon arrival at Temple Bruer, the pilot prepared for an approach to Runway 08. Due to the shorter length of the grass runway compared to his usual operating environment, the pilot opted for tighter circuits and delayed the extension of the landing gear until the aircraft reached short finals. During the descent, the pilot utilized a low power setting, which, in conjunction with the gear being in the up position, activated the landing gear warning horn.
Despite the horn sounding, the aircraft touched down on the grass with the landing gear still retracted. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway shortly after the impact. The pilot sustained no injuries during the event and exited the aircraft via the passenger door.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the engine gearbox, and the flaps. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process regarding the landing gear extension and the impact of the warning horn during the approach. The pilot noted that he had been flying circuits at Tatenhill immediately prior to the flight, during which the landing gear warning horn had sounded frequently due to his low-power approach settings. This familiarity with the horn's sound during the preceding circuits led to a lack of reaction when the horn sounded during the approach to Temple Bruer.
Findings
- The pilot was focused on navigating an unfamiliar airfield and managing a tight approach path.
- The pilot had become desensitized to the landing gear warning horn due to its frequent activation during practice circuits at Tatenhill.
- The pilot failed to lower the landing gear because the warning horn did not prompt the necessary corrective action.