Cessna 210-M, VH-STB, Lake Julius, Queensland, on 30 April 1990

Circumstances:

The pilot reported that on arrival at Lake Julius, a practice forced landing was being conducted with power reduced to idle. The landing gear warning horn sounded but it was decided to leave the wheels up to improve gliding performance. During the pattern, the power was increased to silence the horn and warm the engine while a radio transmission was made, and the power was again reduced to idle. The pilot stated that he was high on final and extended full flap and sideslipped to lose height. The landing gear horn was still sounding but he omitted to lower the landing gear before the aircraft touched down. The instructor stated that the approach was high throughout, and that he was contemplating a go around. When it became apparent that a full stop landing could be accomplished with adequate runway available, he had failed to realise that the landing gear had not been extended. The aircraft came to rest halfway along the 900-metre gravel strip with the landing gear in the retracted position. This accident was not the subject of an on-scene investigation.

Significant Factors:

The following factor was considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. Pilot forgot to lower the landing gear.