Incident Overview
At 19:49 local time on 2 September 2015, a Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V, registration SP-TBR, was taxiing on taxiway D at Szczecin-Goleniów Airport (EPSC) for departure to Łódź-Lublinek (EPLL). During taxi, the nose landing gear unexpectedly retracted. The rotating propellers contacted the taxiway surface, resulting in destruction of all propeller blades and sudden stoppage of both engines. The pilot informed the control tower but did not declare an emergency. Airport emergency services responded. All five occupants—two pilots and three passengers—were uninjured. Passengers were evacuated. After examination, the aircraft was lifted with airbags, the nose gear manually extended and locked, and the aircraft towed. During towing, the left main gear and nose gear retracted again, requiring further airbag assistance. The taxiway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours via NOTAM.
Aircraft and Damage
The aircraft was a Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V, a low-wing, all-metal, twin-engine airplane with retractable tricycle landing gear. Power was provided by two Teledyne Continental LTSIO-360-KB engines (220 hp each). The operator was Bartolini Air sp. z o.o. Szkoła Lotnicza. Damage was limited to the propeller blades (all destroyed), slight damage to the nose gear door edges, and a broken spring pushrod in the nose gear retraction mechanism. Both engines required special inspection following the sudden stoppage.
Investigation Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) supervised the investigation conducted by the operator. The probable cause was determined to be lack of nose gear locking in the extended position due to mechanical wear of the kinematics joints of the retraction system. Contributory circumstances included design characteristics of the nose gear retraction system and the aircraft's operational conditions. The report noted that the spring pushrod, which provides force to lock the drag link, was found bent and broken at its upper threaded end.
Safety Recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued by the commission.