10 Apr 2018: PIPER PA34 200

10 Apr 2018: PIPER PA34 200 — Unknown operator

No fatalities • San Diego, CA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the landing gear before landing, which resulted in landing with the landing gear retracted.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The flight instructor reported, while the pilot receiving instruction performed a simulated single-engine approach, he wanted to be able to communicate more easily with the pilot, so he set the simulated failed engine to 15" of manifold pressure; the landing gear warning horn will sound if the manifold pressure is set below 14". He added that he did not verify the gear was down and locked with the three green extended lights illuminated. He reported that, just before landing, he heard the landing gear warning horn, but attributed it to the stall warning horn. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he did not recall hearing any audible alarm. The airplane landed with the gear retracted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engines.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Not used/operated
  • cause Instructor/check pilot
  • cause Student/instructed pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 300/07kt, vis 10sm

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