CT156 Harvard II - From the Investigator

The accident flight was part of the NATO Flying Training in Canada Program for Phase II pilot training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The crew consisted of an Instructor Pilot and a Student Pilot conducting the first instrument flight in the course syllabus.

After conducting basic instrument flight manoeuvres in the practice area, the aircraft returned to the airfield to conduct practice instrument approaches. While configuring the aircraft for landing on the first approach, the crew was unable to obtain landing gear down and locked indications. The crew carried out a low approach in front of the control tower to have the tower controller confirm the status of their landing gear. It appeared that the nose landing gear was not extended. The crew actioned the Landing Gear Malfunction checklist with multiple unsuccessful attempts to cycle the landing gear. In consultation with key operations and maintenance personnel, they elected to carry out a gear up landing. To minimize damage to the aircraft the crew shutdown the engine immediately before touchdown. Once on the runway, the aircraft slid for approximately 1500 feet (457 metres) before coming to a stop. The crew carried out an Emergency Ground Egress and were recovered by first responders.

The aircraft sustained serious damage, and there were no injuries.

The investigation is focusing on technical and human factors.