What happened
On April 8, 2019, a Cessna 172RG, registration OK-ALZ, was engaged in a flight training session intended for a CPL pilot check. The flight, operated by Aviatický klub, s.r.o., included various maneuvers, including pattern work and flight technique practice south of Roudnice Airport (LKRO). During the session, the crew was practicing emergency landing procedures.
During the final approach for an emergency landing drill on runway 13R, the pilot had previously extended the landing gear and verified its lock. While attempting to adjust the aircraft's configuration using the flaps to manage the approach, the pilot mistakenly moved the landing gear lever to the up position. The error went unnoticed until the aircraft made contact with the runway. The aircraft landed on its belly, traveling approximately 286 meters along the runway. There were no injuries to the crew, but the aircraft sustained significant damage, including bent propeller blades and damage to the lower fuselage.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the actions of both the pilot and the examiner. The examiner, an experienced pilot with significant multi-engine experience, was monitoring airport traffic during the maneuver and did not observe the pilot's incorrect lever movement. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight records, noting that while the pilot had performed 54 landings in retractable gear aircraft since November 2018, the specific error occurred during a high-workload phase of the emergency drill.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's confusion between the landing gear and flap controls during the approach.
- Instead of adjusting the flaps to manage the descent, the pilot retracted the landing gear.
- The examiner failed to identify the pilot's erroneous action, which prevented any corrective intervention before touchdown.
- The technical condition of the Cessna 172RG was not a contributing factor.
- Weather and airport conditions were not contributing factors to the occurrence.