Incident Overview
On 22 October 2013, at 18:15 LMT, a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, operated by PPHU "Royal Star", was conducting a training flight for instrument rating/multi-engine (IR/ME) privileges near EPRZ. The crew consisted of a student pilot and an instructor. During the approach to landing at EPML, the landing gear was selected down and three green lights confirmed proper extension and locking. Upon touchdown, the aircraft pitched forward, causing the fuselage and propellers to contact the runway surface. The crew shut down the engines and reported the situation to Mielec information, suspecting a nose gear collapse. Airport emergency vehicles responded.
Analysis
Post-event analysis determined that the aircraft landed on the nose wheel, resulting in overload and fracture of the nose gear hydraulic actuator mounting. This was attributed to the lack of reaction from both the student pilot and the instructor to the nose-down pitching moment induced by flap extension, power reduction, and the aircraft's forward center of gravity during the flare. Consequently, the nose gear collapsed, leading to propeller damage, fuselage damage, and abrupt engine stoppage.
Cause
The investigation identified two contributing factors: 1. Student pilot error in landing at an incorrect angle. 2. Instructor's failure to react to the situation during landing.
A contributing circumstance was the slight eastward slope of the runway, which, under night conditions, may have created an illusion of an excessive approach angle.
Preventive Actions
The operator conducted a briefing with instructors and mechanics, emphasizing the need for additional oversight of instructors returning to the PA-34/PZL M-20 after a period of flying other aircraft types. Specific attention was directed to the effects of flap extension, center-of-gravity position, and the loss of gyroscopic moment due to power reduction on the aircraft's pitching moment during landing flare. The importance of thorough preflight checks of landing gear attachment components was also highlighted.
Conclusion
No safety recommendations were issued by the investigating body.