M-20 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
I was working Local Control and I noticed a VFR target tracking from 5 miles northeast; south-westbound. An M20 checked in VFR requesting to land Runway 21. No other information was given (he did not check in with ATIS code or position). I advised the pilot that our airport does not have a Runway 21 and asked him if he was trying to land here. He responded with yes. I then asked him to say position and altitude. After identifying that he was the VFR target I mentioned earlier; he was now about 2 miles southwest of the airport at 3;300 FT. I instructed him to continue in a turn to set him up for a right downwind for 18R as the winds were 170 at 15G30. At this point I was aware that I needed to give this pilot a little extra attention as he was maneuvering in a way that let me know he was unfamiliar with our airport. I then instructed him to proceed northbound which would get him to the correct side of the airport to land on 18R as he was still maneuvering south of the field trying to lose altitude. I gave him the wind and cleared him to land but at no point did I verify that he had the correct ATIS code or issue him the altimeter setting. I told the pilot that I didn't have any other aircraft in the pattern which allowed him to do what he felt best to land his aircraft. As the pilot finally set up his approach to 18R I checked his aircraft for landing gear which appeared down. His approach was good but as he touched down he started to bounce up and down like he was struggling to set the aircraft down. After a few bounces the gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded on its belly to a stop. All the proper procedures were followed to handle the aircraft emergency at this point and the pilot was ok. In the future I will issue the minimum information that I am required to or make sure the pilot has the current ATIS code.
Tower Controller described a collapsed gear landing event; noting his failure to ensure the arriving aircraft had the proper ATIS and altimeter information.