What happened
During a flight instruction session, a pilot was receiving instruction from a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) in a multi-engine aircraft. The pilot reported that the initial touchdown occurred on the main gear, noting it was slightly hard and causing the plane to float upward by a couple of feet. Approximately 50 yards further down the runway, the aircraft touched down again on its wheels but appeared to be low. The CFI admitted that a flat approach had been flown, which resulted in a slight bounce of approximately three feet.
As the aircraft skidded along the runway, scuff marks were found on the sidewalls of the main gear tires. These marks indicated that the landing gear was in the up position during the skid.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft was placed on jacks to inspect the landing gear system. Investigators performed eight retraction and extension cycles, and the gear operated normally throughout the testing. There was no evidence of any mechanical malfunction or failure found during the examination.