Summary
On 5 February 2000, a Cessna 310Q (registration G-EGEE) operated on a private flight from Shoreham to Coventry Airport. During an approach to Runway 23, the pilot inadvertently selected the landing gear selector switch to the central (emergency lowering) position, resulting in no landing gear extension. When attempting a go-around, both propeller tips struck the runway, causing damage. The pilot completed a normal circuit and landing before discovering the damage.
History of Flight
The aircraft had completed a VFR flight from Shoreham to Coventry. The weather at Coventry was wind 220°/12 kt, visibility 9,000 meters, with cloud few at 1,200 feet and broken at 2,400 feet. The pilot received clearance for an approach to Runway 23, as number two to a Cessna 172. At approximately 4 nm from the airport with the Cessna 172 in sight, the pilot carried out the approach checks. He selected the landing gear selector switch to what he thought was the down position but, due to the speed with which he was closing on the Cessna 172, he did not check that the three green indicator lights were illuminated.
The pilot reduced power and progressively lowered flap in preparation for landing, but the distance between himself and the Cessna 172 was reducing. He realised that a go-around from the approach might be required. As the Cessna 172 executed a touch and go, the Cessna 310 pilot was given clearance to land. He then checked the landing gear indicator lights and realised that they were not showing 'three greens'. He immediately applied full power to go around, but the tips of both propellers contacted the runway surface, leaving some thirty strike marks over a distance of approximately 40 to 45 meters and bending the propeller tips back.
The aircraft climbed away, and at some point the flaps were retracted. The pilot was unaware that the propeller tips had struck the runway, so he carried out a normal circuit, lowering the landing gear during the downwind leg. With the landing gear confirmed as locked down and the aircraft handling normally, the pilot carried out a full flap landing and taxied to his allocated parking place without further incident. On shutting down the engines, he could see that all the propeller tips had been bent back.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 310Q, manufactured in 1969, is a twin-engine aircraft powered by two Continental Motors Corp IO-470-VO piston engines. The landing gear selector switch is a three-position switch: fully up and down, with a third central position used for emergency lowering via a small detent. The pilot considered that for his first approach he had inadvertently selected the central position while monitoring other circuit traffic, and had not confirmed the landing gear position until just before touchdown.
Pilot Information
The commander held a Private Pilot's Licence with an IMC Rating and was 45 years old. His total flying experience was 446 hours, of which 27 were on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 50 hours, and in the last 28 days, 25 hours.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries were reported. The propellers were damaged; both propeller tips were bent back, and the runway surface showed strike marks over approximately 40 to 45 meters.