What happened
On 4 September 2007, a Cessna T210M, registration ZS-MOB, was conducting a private flight from Durban International Aerodrome toward Kei Mouth Aerodrome. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers. While approaching the unmanned aerodrome, the pilot communicated intentions via the local VHF frequency and selected runway 26 for arrival.
During the descent, the pilot became preoccupied by the presence of another aircraft in the immediate vicinity. This distraction led to a failure to complete essential downwind checks and final approach vital actions. Although an audio warning regarding the landing gear status sounded prior to touchdown, the pilot misidentified the alert as a stall warning. Consequently, the aircraft touched down on the grass runway with the undercarriage retracted, causing the plane to skid along the surface before coming to a stop. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries among the occupants.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident examined the pilot's actions, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the cockpit environment. The pilot held a valid private pilot's licence and a current medical certificate. However, the inquiry established that the aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness was invalid at the time of the incident. While the last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) had been completed in October 2006, the aircraft had exceeded the permitted flight hours allowed since that inspection.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's failure to lower the undercarriage before touchdown.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by another aircraft operating near the aerodrome.
- An audible warning was issued by the aircraft, but the pilot incorrectly perceived the landing gear unsafe alert as a stall warning due to the similarity in sound.
- The aircraft was being operated with an invalid Certificate of Airworthiness due to an overdue periodic inspection.