What happened
On 4 April 2002, a PIPER PA-28R-200, registered as ZS-FWG, was involved in a landing accident near Aldam, approximately 30km NNE of Winburg. The flight was a private scenic excursion over the Allemanskraaldam, following a previous flight from Wonderboom to Aldam the day prior. During the return leg of the flight, the aircraft approached the landing site with its landing gear in the retracted position. As a result, the aircraft performed a belly landing, causing damage to the propeller and the underside of the fuselage. All four occupants on board escaped the incident without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the conditions leading up to the event. Meteorological data indicated favorable flying conditions, characterized by fine weather and a 10-knot southeasterly wind. There were no reported mechanical defects or operational abnormalities prior to the landing. Records showed that the aircraft was being maintained according to prescribed intervals; the next mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was not due until February 2002 or upon reaching 6088.2 flying hours, and the aircraft had only flown 98 hours since its previous inspection.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot neglected to lower the undercarriage before touchdown.
- The aircraft's maintenance status was compliant with regulatory requirements at the time of the incident.