What happened
On September 4, 2004, at approximately 19:50 local time, a Cessna 172 RG, registration EC-HHX, departed from Talavera la Real Airport for a flight training mission near Badajoz. The aircraft was operated by American Flyers and was carrying a flight instructor and a student pilot.
Approximately fifteen minutes into the flight, the instructor noticed engine abnormalities, specifically low oil pressure and high engine temperature, accompanied by an unusual engine sound. Because the aircraft was near Morante Aerodrome, which had been designated as the alternate airport in the flight plan, the instructor took control of the aircraft to perform an emergency landing.
During the approach, the crew performed the "Before Descent" and "Approach" checklists. The instructor assigned the "Final" checklist to the student pilot. However, as the aircraft descended, the instructor realized the landing gear had not been extended or locked. During the landing roll, the fuselage struck the ground, and the instructor attempted to use flight controls to prevent the wings and nose from making contact with the runway. Ultimately, the aircraft lost speed, and the nose and propeller impacted the terrain, causing the aircraft to veer slightly to the right before coming to a stop. The crew secured the cabin and evacuated the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the impact and the execution of landing procedures. The examination of the aircraft revealed important damage to the engine, propeller, and the lower portion of the fuselage.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to extend the landing gear during the execution of the landing checklists.
- The crew failed to properly complete the "Final" checklist, which would have identified that the gear was not down and locked.