No fatalities

Incident involving Cessna 210 at Virginia due to omitted gear (ZS-EES)

Virginia Runway 23, ZA

On July 17, 2001, a Cessna 210 (registration ZS-EES) was involved in an aviation accident near Virginia Runway 23, ZA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Pilot omitted to lower the landing gear. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 210 (ZS-EES) operated by Virginia Flight School executed a gear-up landing during circuit training on 17 July 2001; pilot busy with radio tasks omitted gear extension.

Introduction

On 17 July 2001 at 1451Z, a Cessna 210, registration ZS-EES, operated by Virginia Flight School (G218D), was involved in an incident while conducting circuit and landing training at Virginia. The aircraft landed on Runway 23 with the landing gear retracted. The sole occupant, a student pilot, was not injured.

Weather

Weather conditions at the time were fine with a bit of haze. Visibility was approximately 5000 meters.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, he was very busy handling radio communications during the circuit and landing training. As a result, he neglected to lower the landing gear. The aircraft subsequently landed with the gear retracted.

Probable Cause

The probable cause of the incident was that the pilot omitted to lower the landing gear.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Jul 2001 Cessna 210 accident near Virginia Runway 23, ZA?

A Cessna 210 (ZS-EES) operated by Virginia Flight School executed a gear-up landing during circuit training on 17 July 2001; pilot busy with radio tasks omitted gear extension.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Jul 2001 Cessna 210 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Jul 2001 involved a Cessna 210, registration ZS-EES, at Virginia Runway 23, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Pilot omitted to lower the landing gear.