What happened
On 11 February 2023, a Mooney M-20F, registration ZS-EMH, was conducting a routine training flight from New Tempe Aerodrome (FATP) in the Free State province. The flight, operated under Part 141 regulations, included an instructor and a student pilot. After climbing to 5,500 feet and completing a circuit of the general flying area, the crew returned to FATP for landing.
During the approach, the student pilot performed downwind checks. However, the landing gear remained in the retracted position. As the aircraft crossed the runway 10 threshold, it struck the runway surface on its belly, skidding for several meters before coming to a stop on the right side of the runway. The impact caused substantial damage to the propeller blade tips, the landing gear doors, and the aircraft's underbelly skin. No injuries were reported for the occupants.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the aircraft and the flight procedures following the accident. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft's landing gear system and the gear warning horn were both fully functional and serviceable upon post-accident testing. The aircraft's maintenance records showed it was airworthy and had recently undergone its 50-hour inspection.
Regarding the cockpit environment, the investigation noted that the instructor had assumed the gear was down and locked following the student's checks without personally verifying the position of the control lever. Furthermore, investigators looked into why the landing gear warning horn did not alert the crew. It was determined that the aircraft likely approached the runway at a high-power setting; because the manifold pressure was likely above 12 inches, the warning horn would not have been triggered according to the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the landing gear lever was not extended prior to touchdown.
- The student pilot failed to complete the required downwind checklists as prescribed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
- There was a lack of adequate supervision by the instructor, who failed to verify the gear configuration.
- The landing gear warning horn did not activate because the engine was likely operating at a high power setting during the approach.