Tue, Sep 19, 2006
Failed To Verify 'Three Green'
Investigators with the US Air Force have determined it was pilot
error that led to the May 8, 2006 gear-up landing of a B-1 Lancer
on a runway in Southwest Asia.
According to the final report released by authorities at Dyess
AFB, TX Monday, the pilot unexpectedly turned over aircraft control
to the co-pilot on the final approach. The pilot reported to the
air traffic control tower that the landing gear was down, despite
the fact that the descent/before landing checklist was never
completed -- and worse, the landing gear was never lowered.
The red warning light in the gear handle -- indicating all
landing gear was not down and locked -- was illuminated for more
than four minutes during the approach. Additionally, at the time
the aircraft landed, the three "gear down" green position lights
were not illuminated.
The Lancer slid 7,500 feet on its belly and engine pods, before
finally coming to rest.
Investigators concluded the cause of the mishap was both pilots'
failure to lower the landing gear during the aircraft's approach
and landing. Contributing factors for the pilots' failure to lower
the landing gear were the co-pilot's task oversaturation; the
co-pilot's urgency to complete a long mission; both pilots'
inattention to instrument readings and the descent/before landing
checklist, and the co-pilot's false belief the pilot had lowered
the landing gear.
As Aero-News reported, all
four crewmembers onboard the Lancer were able to evacuate the
stricken plane. The co-pilot suffered a minor back injury, and the
other three crew members were not injured.
Damage totaled approximately $7.9 million for the aircraft and
the damage to the runway totaled approximately $14,025. The
aircraft is assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron of the
7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB.
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