AAIB investigation to Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, G-TALF
Aircraft landed with landing gear retracted, Taten Hill Airfield, Staffordshire, 5 November 2018.
Summary:
The pilot intended to practise circuits and, after waiting for some low cloud to clear, he consulted with other pilots before deciding that the weather conditions were suitable for the flight.
Visibility became “noticeably poor” as he climbed out on the crosswind leg and, after turning downwind, he had difficulty remaining visual with the runway. He cut short the downwind leg and lowered the landing gear but, realising he was high, he elected to go around. Visibility was worse during the second circuit and the pilot believes that he became pre-occupied with the poor visibility, forgetting to complete his downwind checks and omitting to lower the landing gear. The aircraft touched down with the gear retracted and veered to the right, coming to rest on the edge of the runway. The pilot, who was uninjured, exited the aircraft without assistance.
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