Aircraft and Flight
On 7 August 2007, a Cessna 210 Centurian (registration N761JU) operated under a Private Pilot's Licence departed from Wellsbourne for a flight to Wycombe Air Park (Booker), Buckinghamshire. The aircraft was powered by a single Lycoming TSIO 520 R piston engine and had been manufactured in 1977. The pilot, aged 42, had a total flying experience of 810 hours, with 202 hours on type, including 20 hours in the last 90 days and 4 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Sequence
The flight proceeded without incident until the aircraft joined downwind for Runway 35 at Wycombe Air Park at approximately 1610 UTC. The pilot completed his landing checks and believed he had selected the undercarriage DOWN. He recalled seeing the green lights illuminated while on final approach, indicating the undercarriage was DOWN and locked. However, as the aircraft touched down, the propeller struck the ground, and it became apparent that the undercarriage was still retracted. The pilot shut down the aircraft, and he and his passenger, both uninjured, vacated via the normal exits.
Post-Accident Inspection
Inspection after the accident revealed that the undercarriage selector was found in the UP position. The pilot did not recall any warnings from the undercarriage aural warning system, which he had tested during his pre-flight checks. An examination of the undercarriage aural warning system shortly after the accident confirmed that the system was serviceable.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot believes the accident was caused by his failure to lower the undercarriage before landing. He considers that possible contributory factors include a failure of the undercarriage aural warning system and the brightness of the sun during his landing checks.