Incident Overview
On a flight from Santiago-Eulogio Sánchez Errázuriz-Tobalaba Airport to Puerto Montt, a twin-engine aircraft experienced a belly landing at Puerto Montt-Marcel Marchant Airport. The aircraft departed Santiago at 1815 local time with seven passengers and one pilot onboard.
Approach and Landing
While approaching runway 19, the pilot's attention was focused on the GPS equipment. Consequently, he forgot to lower the landing gear. The aircraft belly landed on the runway, sliding for a few dozen meters before coming to rest on the main runway.
Occupants and Damage
All eight occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was deemed beyond repair.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation identified the probable cause as a belly landing after the pilot forgot to lower the landing gear while approaching the airport. Several contributing factors were cited:
- Probable distraction of the pilot by keeping attention mainly on the GPS equipment to maintain the flight path and avoid unnecessary engine power adjustments.
- The pilot failed to follow the approach and landing checklist.
- The pilot failed to check the three gear lights on the cockpit panel.
- The pilot performed an unstabilized approach without completing the pre-landing checklist and eventually stabilized the airplane at a height of 500 feet.