Accident Details
On 2 December 2003 at approximately 1440Z, a Cessna 210 aircraft registered ZS-NOR was on a private flight in the Pongola area. The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, departed from and intended to return to Pongola Aerodrome. The pilot held a valid private pilot licence with 239.1 total flying hours, including 106.1 hours on type.
Sequence of Events
During landing at Pongola Aerodrome, the pilot forgot to lower the landing gear. As a result, the propeller made contact with the ground and sustained substantial damage. The occupants on board were not injured.
Landing Gear Warning System
The pilot stated that the landing gear warning system was not operational prior to the accident. However, the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) that carried out repairs after the accident could not confirm that the gear warning system was non-operational at the time of the accident; after the repairs were carried out, the gear warning system was found to be satisfactory in all respects.
Maintenance Information
The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was certified on 13 June 2003 at 7931.1 total airframe hours. The aircraft had been operated for 70.8 hours since that MPI.
Meteorological Conditions
Meteorological conditions at the time were CAVOK, with a temperature of 30°C and wind at 10 knots.
Investigation
No on-site investigation was conducted.