What happened
On 9 February 2004, a Beech C24R Musketeer Super R, registration G-BYDG, was conducting a training flight at Bournemouth when an incident occurred during the landing phase. Following an instrument training session, the student pilot performed an ILS approach, which was followed by a go-around procedure. The flight then transitioned into a low-level visual circuit intended for a landing on Runway 26. The weather conditions at the time were reported as calm with a high cloud base.
As the aircraft touched down, the crew realized that the landing gear had not been extended. Consequently, the aircraft struck the runway on its belly, resulting in damage to the propeller and the underside of the fuselage. The two crew members on board escaped the incident without injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events following the go-around. It was noted that while it is standard procedure to keep the landing gear in the down position throughout a low-level circuit, the gear had been retracted during the go-around maneuver. The investigation established that this configuration was not identified during the crew's checks while flying downwind or on final approach. Additionally, the investigation found that Bournemouth Air Traffic Control does not mandate a radio confirmation of the landing gear position, a policy maintained due to the variety of fixed and retractable gear aircraft operating at the airfield.
Findings
- The crew failed to recognize that the landing gear remained retracted during the downwind and final approach checks following a go-around.
- The landing gear was not lowered prior to touchdown.