Investigation number
199800255
Occurrence date
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Wheels up landing
Occurrence category
Accident

The Piper Arrow was on a flight from Bankstown to Albury under the visual flight rules. At Goulburn, the pilot elected to return to Bankstown due to low cloud. During the return flight, the pilot noticed the engine oil temperature and fuel contents indications drop to zero. He transmitted a PAN call but received no response. Assuming he had suffered a radio failure, the pilot continued to Bankstown and joined the circuit on downwind for runway 29R. Bankstown tower controllers, observing the aircraft approaching with the landing gear retracted, unsuccessfully attempted to contact the pilot by radio. They then flashed a red light signal to indicate to the pilot he should continue circling. The common crash call and crash alarm were activated, and a full emergency declared. The aircraft subsequently touched down with the landing gear still retracted, skidding along the runway for about 70 metres before coming to a halt. The pilot vacated the aircraft without injury. The pilot subsequently reported that when he lost radio contact he assumed he had suffered a radio failure, although the radio continued to generate static. He continued his return and made a non-radio approach to Bankstown. After joining the circuit on the downwind leg, he selected the landing gear down but did not monitor the landing gear warning lights as he was concentrating on a slower aircraft ahead, and looking for light signals from the control tower. He did not see the red signal light and failed to realise the landing gear was not extended until he landed. A maintenance check of the aircraft did not find any defects associated with the electrical, radio or landing gear systems which may have contributed to the accident.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-28RT-201
Registration
VH-KBD
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Bankstown NSW
Destination
Albury NSW
Damage
Substantial