What happened
On 2 May 2005, a Piper PA-28R-200-2, registration G-BCGS, was conducting a training flight at Little Gransden Airfield, Bedfordshire. The flight was intended to provide instruction to an aircraft owner preparing for a skill test renewal. The flight included various upper air exercises and practice forced landings.
During the final stages of the flight, the pilot performed a go-around on Runway 10 due to wind conditions. During the climb, the instructor briefly took control to avoid livestock in a nearby field before returning control to the pilot. The instructor then directed the pilot to perform a flapless approach and landing. During this maneuver, the pilot flew a low and close approach to the runway centerline. As the aircraft flared, the throttle was closed, and the aircraft settled onto the runway with the landing gear retracted. The aircraft slid on the underside of the fuselage, resulting in a destroyed propeller, an engine shock load, and damage to the fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the cockpit configuration and the pilot's actions during the approach. It was noted that the aircraft's automatic landing gear extension system had recently been replaced with a warning system that triggers a horn and light if the throttle is closed or flaps are extended without the gear being locked down.
Investigators found that the pilot had omitted the standard 'Red, Blue, Green' checklist during the final approach. The investigation also noted that the landing gear warning horn had been sounding frequently during the earlier portions of the flight, which had a psychological effect on the crew. Furthermore, the instructor noted that the landing gear visual indicators were difficult to monitor from the right-hand seat without specific head movements.