History of the Flight
On 4 April 2009, a Piper PA-34-220T, registration CS-DER, departed from Évora Municipal Aerodrome with an instructor and a student pilot on board for a training flight under visual flight rules. The flight plan included an ILS approach to runway 26 at Montijo Air Base (Base Aérea nº 6) followed by a touch-and-go landing.
After departing Évora, the aircraft proceeded directly to Montijo. Air traffic control instructed the crew to fly directly to a position 5 NM from the final approach course of runway 26 and authorized interception of the ILS. The student pilot intercepted the localizer and glideslope almost simultaneously. With limited time before reaching the runway, the required actions to configure the aircraft for landing had to be completed quickly.
Incident During Touch-and-Go
As the student pilot began the flare for the touch-and-go, the instructor noticed the aircraft was sinking abnormally, as if the landing gear were retracted. The instructor took control and initiated a go-around, but could not prevent the propellers from contacting the runway surface.
Aftermath and Damage
After the propeller strike, the crew returned to Évora. During the flight back, they reported no unusual vibrations. Upon arrival at Évora, the instructor requested confirmation from the tower that the landing gear was down, and the landing was performed without further incident. During post-flight inspection, severe damage was found on the tips of the propeller blades of both engines.
Injuries
No injuries were reported; both occupants remained uninjured.
Damage to Aircraft
The propeller blades of both engines sustained severe damage to their tips from contact with the runway surface. Additionally, grooves were left in the runway coating.