Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the examiner’s failure to check that the landing gear was extended.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was receiving a checkride from a designated pilot examiner for his single-pilot type rating in a turbine airplane. After a series of maneuvers, emergencies, and landings, the examiner asked the pilot to complete a no-flap landing. The pilot reported that he performed the Before Landing checklist with no flaps and believed that he had put the gear down. During touchdown, the pilot felt a "thump" and thought a tire had blown; however, he saw that the landing gear handle was in the "up" position, and he noted that the landing gear warning horn did not sound because he had performed a no-flaps landing. The examiner confirmed that the landing gear handle was in the "up" position. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane reported that the landing gear handle was in the "up" position and that the fuselage had sustained substantial damage. The landing gear was lowered and locked into place without issue after the airplane was lifted from the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was receiving a check ride from a designated pilot examiner for his single pilot rating in a turbine airplane. After a series of maneuvers, emergencies, and landings, the examiner asked the pilot to complete a no flap landing.The pilot reported that he performed the before landing checklist with zero flaps and believed he put the gear down. During touch down, the pilot felt a thump and thought the airplane had a blown tire, however, when he saw the landing gear handle, it was in the up position. The pilot further reported that the landing gear warning horn did not sound, because the flaps were in the up position. The examiner confirmed the landing gear handle was in the up position. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the landing gear handle was found in the up position and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The landing gear was lowered and locked into place without issue after the airplane was lifted from the runway.