What happened
On 8 September 1998, a Piper PA-34-220T, registration G-BMDK, was conducting a private flight when it arrived at Cardiff Airport, Wales. While performing an approach to Runway 30, the aircraft encountered gusting winds. Due to the expected turbulence, the pilot maintained a higher power setting than is typical for this phase of flight. During the descent, the landing gear was not lowered. The landing gear warning horn remained silent throughout the approach, only activating when the pilot reduced power shortly before the aircraft touched down.
The resulting impact caused substantial damage to the propellers, the engines, and the underside of the aircraft. There were no injuries to the pilot, who was the sole occupant on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the approach and the cockpit environment, specifically focusing on why the landing gear warning system did not alert the pilot to the gear's position earlier in the approach. The analysis considered the impact of the high power setting and the wind conditions on the pilot's monitoring of the aircraft's configuration.