Accident Details
On 15 November 2003, at 0945Z, a Piper PA23-250 aircraft, registration ZS-NWO, was involved in a landing accident on Runway 29 at Wonderboom Aerodrome (FAWB). The aircraft was operated on a private flight, with the pilot-in-command holding a valid Commercial Pilot's Licence and a type endorsement for the aircraft. The pilot had logged 1640.6 total flying hours, with 28.65 hours on type. The aircraft had undergone a Mandatory Period Inspection (MPI) on 31 October 2003 at 10207.7 airframe hours and had flown an additional 0.8 hours since.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported that the aircraft had not been operated for eight months prior to the flight. After takeoff, the pilot advised air traffic control at Wonderboom that he had not flown for six months and requested a lookout. The pilot performed stall and turn maneuvers in the general flying area before returning to Wonderboom.
Accident Events
During the approach to Runway 29, the pilot selected the landing gear down but inattentively failed to observe the landing gear down and lock lights. While flaring the aircraft for landing, the unsafe warning horn sounded, but it was too late to execute a go-around. The aircraft landed on its belly and skidded approximately 400 metres on the runway before coming to rest. The two occupants (pilot and one passenger) sustained no injuries. Damage was limited to the propeller, flaps, and ADF antenna.
Probable Cause
The pilot failed to do a proper pre-landing check and thus neglected to lower the landing gear properly prior to landing.