Casualties unknown

2000-05-04: YAK-50 (RA44541) — White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire, GB

White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire, GB

On May 4, 2000, a YAK-50 (registration RA44541) was involved in an aviation accident near White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire, GB. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot omitted to select the landing gear down prior to touchdown. This summary draws on records from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Sourcesthe UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)Primary reportUpdated 1785053200Data APIEditorial standards

A privately operated Yakovlev Yak-50 made a wheels-up landing at White Waltham Airfield after the pilot omitted to extend the landing gear.

Incident

On 4 May 2000, at 1513 hours UTC, a Yakovlev Yak-50 (registration RA44541) sustained damage to its propeller and underside during a landing on grass Runway 07 at White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured.

Aircraft and Pilot

The aircraft, a single-engine Yakovlev Yak-50, was manufactured in 1984 and powered by one Ivchenko M14P piston engine. The pilot, aged 31, held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 6,800 total flying hours, including less than one hour on type. In the previous 90 days, he had flown 240 hours, and in the last 28 days, 75 hours.

Circumstances

The pilot was making his first landing in the recently purchased aircraft. During the approach, he omitted to select the landing gear down before touchdown, resulting in a wheels-up landing. The aircraft slid along the runway, causing damage to the propeller and the underside of the fuselage.

Probable cause

The pilot omitted to select the landing gear down prior to touchdown.