Casualties unknown

2007-10-10: Piper PA28R-200 (ZS-BJH) — Runway 35 at Rand Aerodrome, ZA

Runway 35 at Rand Aerodrome, ZA

On October 10, 2007, a Piper PA28R-200 (registration ZS-BJH) was involved in an aviation accident near Runway 35 at Rand Aerodrome, ZA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot neglected to lower the landing gear prior to landing, resulting in a gear-up touchdown. This summary draws on records from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division.

Sourcesthe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations DivisionPrimary reportUpdated 1785104676Data APIEditorial standards

A private flight involving a Piper PA28R-200 resulted in a gear-up landing at Rand Aerodrome after the pilot failed to extend the landing gear.

What happened

On 10 October 2007, a Piper PA28R-200, registration ZS-BJH, was conducting a private flight departing from Rand Aerodrome in Gauteng. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, was intended to visit the general flying area before returning to the same airfield. During the flight, the pilot performed several stall turns, including one maneuver performed with the landing gear extended.

As the aircraft approached runway 35 for landing, the pilot selected full flaps at an indicated airspeed of 80 knots. Although the pilot believed the landing gear had been lowered and confirmed seeing three green lights, the aircraft actually touched down with the gear in the retracted position. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries following the incident. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller blade tips, the forward fuselage undersurface, the nose landing-gear doors, and the inboard aft tips of the trailing edge flaps.

Probable cause

The pilot neglected to lower the landing gear prior to landing, resulting in a gear-up touchdown.