Landing gear collapse during student training flight

Casualties unknown • Provo, UT, US

A flight instructor and a commercial-rated student experienced a landing gear collapse after ballooning during approach in a training maneuver.

What happened

During a training flight involving a flight instructor and a commercial-rated student, the aircraft was performing landings within the traffic pattern. According to statements provided to an FAA inspector, the aircraft approached the runway at an excessive speed. Upon initial contact with the runway, the aircraft ballooned back into the air.

The student pilot reported that during this maneuver, the instructor was yelling, which caused confusion regarding specific instructions. During the second touchdown, the right main landing gear and the nose landing gear collapsed. This resulted in the propellers making contact with the runway surface. The occupants were not injured.

Findings

The flight instructor stated that the student is believed to have inadvertently moved the gear selector switch from the down position to the up position, which caused the landing gear to retract during the sequence of landings.

Probable cause

The student pilot accidentally moved the landing gear selector switch to the up position, causing the gear to retract during the landing maneuver.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-06-09 Piper PA-34-200 accident near Provo, UT?

A flight instructor and a commercial-rated student experienced a landing gear collapse after ballooning during approach in a training maneuver.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-06-09 involved a Piper PA-34-200, registration N303RC, at Provo, UT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot accidentally moved the landing gear selector switch to the up position, causing the gear to retract during the landing maneuver.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010618X01197. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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