What happened
On 13 August 2023, a Cessna 177 RG, registered ZS-TKP, was conducting a private sightseeing flight departing from Prince Albert Airport in the Western Cape. The flight was being operated under Part 91 regulations in clear visual meteorological conditions.
While returning to the airport for landing, the pilot joined the traffic circuit without incident. During the final approach, the pilot configured the aircraft with 30 degrees of flaps. However, upon touchdown, it became apparent that the landing gear had not been deployed. While the aircraft initially remained on the centerline, the nose eventually veered to the left before coming to a halt. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the propeller blades and the underbelly of the aircraft. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger on board.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had undergone a recent maintenance inspection in May 2023. The investigation also verified that the landing gear warning horn system was fully functional, as a recent system check by the maintenance organization had found it serviceable. The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and a current medical certificate.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary cause of the accident was a failure to follow the prescribed landing checklist found in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. Specifically, the pilot omitted the step required to lower the landing gear during the final approach phase. Additionally, the pilot reported that they did not hear the cockpit's warning horn during the approach, a claim not corroborated by the passenger.