What happened
During the approach phase of flight, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear, resulting in the aircraft making contact with the runway on its belly. Following this initial hard touchdown, an attempt was made to execute a go-around maneuver. During this transition, the onboard cargo, which had not been properly fastened, shifted within the cabin. This sudden movement caused the aircraft to enter a stall, leading to a crash that resulted in a post-impact fire.
As a result of the accident, the aircraft was destroyed and rendered beyond repair. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time, sustained serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several contributing elements to the crash. The primary cause was determined to be a hard landing performed with the landing gear retracted following an improper level-off. Further contributing factors included:
- Inadequate preparation prior to the flight
- Unsecured cargo that shifted during the maneuver
- An absence of necessary restraint equipment, such as ropes or cargo nets, within the cabin
- The fact that this was the pilot's first flight operating this specific aircraft model