A pilot flying a kitbuilt Lancair had a lucky escape on February 7 when he made a textbook wheels-up landing at Jandakot Airport.
The pilot of the Lancair IV-TP, registered VH-FTZ, was the only person on board the aircraft which experienced problems with its landing gear at approximately 4pm while on approach to land at Busselton Airport. As a result, he decided to return to Jandakot for an emergency landing and circled for more than an hour burning off fuel before making a wheels-up landing shortly before 6pm. The aircraft remained largely intact as it skidded on its belly down the runway. The pilot emerged later shaken but was given a clean bill of health by paramedics.
According to The West Australian newspaper, it is not known what caused the problem with the landing gear, but an investigation is understood to be underway.