What happened
On October 22, 2011, an Embraver EMB-810C, registration PT-EMR, was conducting a private passenger flight from Guarapuava, PR, to Horizontina, RS. The flight carried a pilot and two passengers.
As the aircraft entered the downwind leg for runway 33 at Horizontina Aerodrome (SSHZ), the pilot performed approach and landing checks, setting the flaps to the approach position but failing to extend the landing gear. During the maneuver, the pilot lost visual contact with the runway. Upon re-establishing visual contact on final approach, the pilot realized the aircraft was below the proper glidepath and increased power to correct the descent. During this correction, the pilot also failed to extend the flaps to the full position. The aircraft subsequently touched down with the landing gear retracted, resulting in light damage to the underside of the airframe. All three occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's systems and the pilot's actions. A functional test of the landing gear retraction system and the cockpit warning systems—including the landing gear position lights and the horn—confirmed they were operating normally. The investigation also reviewed the checklists available on board, noting two different versions: a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and a condensed checklist.
Investigators determined that the pilot performed all flight checks without consulting the physical checklists. Furthermore, the investigation found that while a red gear warning light was available, it did not illuminate because the gear was still fully retracted. The landing gear horn, which would have sounded if manifold pressure dropped below 14inHg, failed to alert the pilot because the increase in power used to correct the glidepath kept the manifold pressure above the threshold required to trigger the alarm.
Findings
- The pilot performed all approach and landing checks without consulting the required checklists.
- The pilot's attention was diverted after losing visual contact with the runway during the downwind leg.
- The pilot's decision to increase power to correct a low glidepath prevented the landing gear warning horn from activating.
- Failure to use the checklist led to the omission of the landing gear extension command.