Accident Summary
A training flight departing from Wilmington-Air Park (Clinton County Airport) concluded with a belly landing on runway 22. The crew, engaged in a local training sortie, failed to lower the undercarriage during the final approach, resulting in the aircraft contacting the runway surface with its belly. The aircraft slid for several dozen yards before coming to rest on the main runway. All three occupants egressed without injury, but the aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.
Circumstances
The flight was conducted as a local training mission from Clinton County Airport. After departure, the crew proceeded with approach planning for runway 22. During the final approach, the crew did not deploy the landing gear. The aircraft touched down with the gear retracted, sliding along the runway before stopping. Emergency services responded to the scene; no injuries were reported among the three personnel aboard.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the crew was focused on a flapless landing configuration and failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to lower the landing gear.