Aircraft and Flight Details
The incident involved a Cessna 310R, registration G-RODD, manufactured in 1976. It was powered by two Continental Motors Corp IO-520-M piston engines. The flight was a private local flight with only the pilot on board. There were no passengers.
Incident Narrative
The pilot planned a local flight and, due to the hot weather, did not take a headset. The cockpit quarter window was left open, and the loudspeaker was used to maintain a listening watch on a local frequency. After a normal approach to the grass strip at Ladydrove Airstrip, the aircraft settled onto its belly. The pilot then became aware that the landing gear warning horn was sounding and that he had omitted to lower the landing gear.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 65, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 3,700 hours of flying experience, of which 2,177 were on the Cessna 310R type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 12 hours, and in the last 28 days, 7 hours.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the fuselage and propellers; the engines were shockloaded. No injuries to the pilot were reported.