History of Flight
On 6 November 2015, an instructor pilot and a student pilot departed Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) in a Piper PA-30, registration ZS-EVB, for circuit training at Vereeniging Aerodrome (FAVV). The flight included touch-and-go landings. During the sixth circuit, the aircraft landed on Runway 03 with the landing gear retracted. The propeller struck the ground and the aircraft skidded on its belly. The instructor pilot asked the student if he had lowered the landing gear, and the student confirmed he had. However, the instructor did not verify that the gear was down and locked. The student pilot stated that he had performed all required checks, including downwind and final checks, and was under the impression that the undercarriage was properly down and locked.
Investigation
A post-accident retraction test cycle of the landing gear system revealed no anomalies. The investigation determined that the student pilot had neglected to select the landing gear down before landing.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and the underbelly of the fuselage. Neither the instructor nor the student pilot was injured.
Probable Cause
The student neglected to select the landing gear down prior to the landing on Runway 03 at FAVV, resulting in a wheels-up landing.