What happened
On February 7, 2018, a Ryan Aeronautical Navion-4, registration LV-YYL, performed a gear-up landing at the Círculo de Aviación Rosario aerodrome in Pueblo Esther, Santa Fe. The flight was a recreational mission arranged by a club official to provide a first flight experience for a prospective student pilot.
During the landing phase, the pilot observed a tractor mowing grass on the right side of the runway. While managing the approach relative to the moving machinery, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear. The aircraft made contact with the ground with the gear retracted, causing the propeller to strike the runway surface. The aircraft continued along the runway until it came to a complete stop. The incident resulted in minor damage to the aircraft, specifically to the propeller, with no injuries reported.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft, the pilot's credentials, and the operational environment. The pilot held a valid private pilot license and medical certificate, and the aircraft was found to be in an airworthy condition. Investigators reviewed interviews with the pilot and witnesses, as well as physical evidence from the runway and the aircraft.
It was noted that the aircraft had been moved to a hangar and the landing gear had been extended prior to the official notification of the incident, which complicated the immediate inspection of the gear position. The investigation also looked into the pilot's physiological state and the flight's planning context.
Findings
- The landing gear was fully retracted at the moment of touchdown.
- The landing gear warning alarm functioned correctly but was not attended to by the pilot.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by the presence of a tractor on the runway margin during the final approach.
- Several human factors contributed to the oversight, including the fact that the flight was planned by a third party, the flight occurred during an unusual time for the pilot, and the pilot had experienced interrupted sleep the previous night.
Safety action
- The investigation highlighted the importance of adhering to regulations regarding the notification of accidents and the preservation of evidence following an occurrence.