On 6 February 1945, a/c #43-37899 was returning from an operational mission. The weather was very bad, with ceilings down to 200-400' in patches and visibility comparatively low. On the first approach to the field, the A/C was forced to go around. Wheels had been lowered for the first landing and were raised for the go around. While circling the field for the second approach, the pilot states he was down as low as 100' at times, and in rain. He (the pilot) was flying contact, the co-pilot flying instruments as a safety precaution, and the engineer was calling off airspeed. On the second approach, they, all being preoccupied as they were, failed to lower the landing gear. The control tower tried to warn the a/c and avert the landing by calling over station frequency and by firing red flares, but neither were adhered to. Crew states flares were not seen and radio message not received. The a/c completed a belly landing with comparatively small damage. Pilot, after realizing wheels were not down, handled the emergency with skill, bringing the A/C to a stop off the runway with no injury to crew.

The accident is attributed to pilot error - 100%, with a contributing factor being the bad weather conditions prevailing; which undoubtedly was being concentrated upon by the crew to such an extent as to cause the usual checks made prior to landing to be neglected. The ex-officio, non-voting, Flight Surgeon suggested that flying fatigue was possibly another factor, and the crew was put on a DNIF status temporarily.

RECOMMENDATIONS: That pilot and co-pilot of all heavy bombardment aircraft be taught, as part of their training, to check for "wheels down" during the last 50 feet before touch down while the a/c still has flying speed.