Piper Arrow II lands on belly at Old Sarum due to gear extension error

Casualties unknown • Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire, GB

A private Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II experienced a landing gear failure during a flight to Old Sarum, resulting in a belly landing on the grass runway.

What happened

On 17 September 2006, a Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II, registration G-ELUT, was conducting a private cross-country flight from Goodwood to Old Sarum. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by good visibility and no cloud cover. Upon arriving at Old Sarum, the pilot joined the circuit via the deadside, establishing a right-hand pattern for landing on the grass runway 24.

During the downwind leg, the pilot performed standard checks but failed to extend the landing gear. As the aircraft progressed to the final approach, the pilot conducted several checks, including the fuel pump, landing lights, and propeller RPM, but neglected to verify the three green 'down and locked' lights.

As the aircraft approached the runway, the airfield radio operator observed that the landing gear legs were not visible. The operator issued multiple "go round" instructions via radio. However, the pilot, believing the instructions were intended for a different aircraft, continued the approach. The aircraft touched down on its belly, slid across the grass, and veered off the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller tips and the underside of the fuselage.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation established that the aircraft's automatic gear extension warning horn was non-functional because the system had been disabled. The investigation also examined the communications from the airfield tower. The radio operator noted that they had attempted to alert the pilot to the gear configuration, but the aircraft was too low for the operator to intervene effectively once the warning was issued.

Findings

  • The pilot failed to extend the landing gear during the downwind leg of the circuit.
  • The pilot did not verify the landing gear position using the cockpit 'three green' lights during the final approach.
  • The pilot failed to check the landing gear status due to a lack of verbal confirmation of the gear position.
  • The automatic landing gear warning horn was inoperative because the system had been previously disabled.
  • The pilot misinterpreted radio calls for a 'go round' as being directed at another aircraft.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear and the subsequent omission of the 'three green' gear verification check, compounded by an inoperative automatic gear warning horn.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2006-09-17 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II accident near Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire, GB?

A private Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II experienced a landing gear failure during a flight to Old Sarum, resulting in a belly landing on the grass runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2006-09-17 involved a Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II, registration G-ELUT, at Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear and the subsequent omission of the 'three green' gear verification check, compounded by an inoperative automatic gear warning horn.

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