What happened
On December 20, 2009, a multi-engine Fairchild SA-227AC Metro-liner III arrived at Cap Haïtan International Airport in Haiti. During the approach to Runway 05, the pilot encountered significant aerodynamic difficulties. The pilot reported that while the aircraft was configured for landing with the flaps and landing gear extended, the aircraft exhibited a persistent and extreme nose-up attitude whenever power was reduced during the final approach.
Following two unsuccessful go-around attempts caused by this pitch instability, the flight crew determined that the safest course of action was to proceed with the landing while keeping the landing gear in the retracted position. The aircraft subsequently completed its landing on Runway 05 with the gear up. Despite the nature of the touchdown, there were no injuries reported among the crew or the 19 passengers on board.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a high nose-up attitude during power reduction while in a landing configuration.
- The decision to land with the gear retracted was made following two aborted landing attempts.