What happened
On 12 March 2001, a Cessna C210T, registered ZS-LCM, was conducting a private flight from Nylstroom toward a private airstrip located near Tzaneen. As the pilot performed an inspection run on final approach, the aircraft encountered heavy rainfall associated with a nearby thunderstorm.
Observing that the runway appeared clear, the pilot elected to proceed with an immediate landing. However, during the descent, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear. The error was only realized when the undercarriage warning horn activated, but by that stage, the aircraft's altitude and speed made an aborted landing impossible. The aircraft subsequently touched down without the gear deployed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the approach and the impact of meteorological conditions on the pilot's decision-making. Investigators examined the pilot's actions during the inspection run and the onset of the thunderstorm. The inquiry established that the pilot was operating the aircraft under a commercial license with significant flight experience, including 2,000 hours on this specific type.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot failed to extend the landing gear.
- The presence of a thunderstorm and heavy raindrops during the approach contributed to a rushed decision to land.
- The pilot's attempt to land immediately upon seeing a clear runway led to the omission of critical landing configuration checks.