What happened
On 15 June 2011, a Cessna 210T, registration ZS-NUL, was conducting a private flight from Richards Bay to the Mposa aerodrome in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The flight proceeded without incident until the arrival phase. During the landing sequence at the grass runway, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear, resulting in a wheels-up landing. The impact caused substantial damage to the propeller and the lower section of the fuselage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was able to exit the aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident established that the aircraft was properly maintained according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements. The pilot held a valid private pilot license and was properly rated for the operation. Meteorological conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with clear visibility and no significant weather interference. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft was equipped with the necessary communication and navigation tools required for the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot failed to lower the landing gear prior to touchdown.
- A critical contributing factor was that the circuit breaker for the aircraft's warning horn had been disarmed, which prevented the cockpit alert from sounding to notify the pilot of the gear status.
- The aircraft sustained significant structural damage to the propeller and lower fuselage.
- Weather conditions were not a factor in the occurrence.