The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 4 November 2021.
Unintentional gear-up landing on runway
Province of Ontario, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
Canadair CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415), C-GOGH
Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Ontario
The occurrence
On May 2, 2021, a Canadair CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415) aircraft operated by the Province of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, was conducting a local training flight at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, ON. While conducting the third circuit on Runway 12, the flight crew inadvertently landed the aircraft with the landing gear retracted while conducting a flapless approach and landing exercise. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway surface. There was significant damage to the belly of the aircraft. There were no injuries.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Unintentional gear-up landing on runway at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Ontario, in May 2021
Read the news release
Investigation information
A21O0030
Unintentional gear-up landing on runway
Province of Ontario, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
Canadair CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415), C-GOGH
Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Jon Douma is a Senior Regional Investigator - Operations with the Ontario Region of the Air Investigations Branch. He joined the TSB in 2019 following 12 years in the business aviation sector, where he flew multiple jet and turboprop types and operated throughout North America, the Caribbean, and Eastern and Western Europe.
Prior to business aviation, he spent several years as a flight instructor, and has maintained an interest in general aviation since then, building and flying multiple amateur-built aircraft with his grandfather.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.