Incident Overview
A local training flight at Suva Airport resulted in a gear-up landing when the crew neglected to extend the landing gear during approach. The aircraft, occupied by one pilot and one instructor, touched down on its belly, sliding along the runway for several dozen metres before coming to a stop. Both pilots evacuated without injury, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage and was deemed beyond economical repair.
Sequence of Events
The flight was a routine training operation conducted in the vicinity of Suva Airport. As the aircraft approached the runway, the crew did not lower the landing gear. The belly landing occurred on the runway surface, followed by a brief slide. The aircraft came to rest on the runway, where emergency services responded. The pilots exited the aircraft unassisted and were examined by medical personnel; no injuries were reported.
Aircraft Damage
Post-incident inspection revealed extensive damage to the aircraft's underside, including the fuselage, wings, and engine components. The aircraft was declared a total loss due to the severity of the damage.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the probable cause as the crew failing to follow the approach and landing checklist, resulting in the omission of lowering the landing gear.