What happened
During a scheduled flight competency assessment, an aircraft was being operated by a pilot accompanied by a company check airman and an FAA inspector. The flight was intended to evaluate the pilot's proficiency and included a maintenance test involving aileron rigging. The specific maneuver being executed was a landing without the use of flaps.
As the aircraft navigated the traffic pattern, the crew noted significant difficulties in maintaining stable flight. The pilot struggled with airspeed management, characterized by excessively low speeds and frequent, inconsistent power adjustments. During the approach, the pilot failed to initiate the required before-landing checklist.
As the aircraft reached the runway, it made contact with the ground while the landing gear was in the up position. Although the check pilot noted that the landing gear warning horn sounded momentarily, the pilot responded by increasing engine power to silence the alert. The FAA inspector, seated in the passenger cabin, was reportedly unaware that the gear had not been extended prior to touchdown.
Findings
- The pilot experienced difficulty maintaining stable flight parameters during the traffic pattern.
- The pilot failed to perform the necessary pre-landing checklist.
- The landing gear remained retracted during the landing phase of the flight.