Incident Overview
On 6 November 2012, a flight instructor accompanied by a student holding a private pilot licence departed from Wonderboom aerodrome (FAWB) for a training flight to Aeropark aerodrome. The purpose of the flight was to conduct circuit work as part of the student’s conversion onto the Cessna 210G type aircraft, registered ZS-ETH. The time of the incident was 0740Z. Meteorological conditions included surface wind 180°/5 knots, temperature 30°C, and visibility CAVOK.
Sequence of Events
After arriving at Aeropark aerodrome, the crew completed three uneventful circuits consisting of touch-and-go landings. During the fourth circuit, the flight instructor manipulated the flight controls to demonstrate a short field landing to the student. He opted to fly a low level circuit. According to his statement, he completed the downwind vital actions and selected the landing gear down, but he did not confirm that the landing gear was in the down and locked position, nor did he verify that a green gear down light was illuminated prior to landing.
Prior to touchdown, the flight instructor reported the correct attitude for landing, closed the throttle, and flared the aircraft. Upon touchdown, both pilots realised that the landing gear was not in the down and locked position, resulting in a wheels-up landing. The aircraft skidded off to the right of the active runway and came to rest on the gravel surface. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury.
Investigation Findings
After evacuating, the flight instructor inspected the aircraft and noticed a teflon spacer, 55 millimetres (mm) in length, lodged in the gear selector mechanism. It appeared that the spacer formed part of the assembly that secured the autopilot unit, which had been removed during recent maintenance on the aircraft. No injuries were reported.
Probable Cause
The crew failed to confirm that the landing gear was in the down and locked position prior to landing, resulting in a wheels-up landing.