What happened
On 10 October 2016, a SOCATA TB 20, registration 9M-SOM, was conducting a local training flight near Port Klang and Shah Alam. Following two successful touch-and-go maneuvers at Subang Airport, Air Traffic Control instructed the crew to join a tight left downwind circuit to accommodate an incoming flight.
During this maneuver, the senior pilot took control of the aircraft to perform a practice forced landing on Runway 1s. While descending on final approach, the pilot deployed the first and second stages of the flaps at approximately 300 feet. However, the landing gear remained in the retracted position. Although the trainee pilot alerted the senior pilot to the gear status, the aircraft was too low to execute a go-around or extend the gear. The aircraft subsequently struck the runway on its belly, spinning 180 degrees before coming to a halt roughly 780 meters from the runway threshold. Both crew members escaped the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
AAIB Malaysia examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the approach. The investigation confirmed that the landing gear system was fully functional and capable of extension and retraction. The inspection of the wreckage revealed extensive damage, including bent propeller tips from runway contact, a distorted exhaust, and damage to the nose gear bay, wheel hubs, and flaps.
Investigators also reviewed the cockpit environment, noting that while the landing gear warning horn was functional, the crew could not recall if it had sounded prior to impact. The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the ATC instruction to expedite the approach.