What happened
On September 9, 2018, a Piper Seneca PA-34 200T, registration SP-ROY, was conducting multi-engine piston (MEP) training maneuvers at Mielec Airport (EPML). The flight consisted of a series of touch-and-go operations on runway 09, specifically practicing engine failure procedures and asymmetric thrust management.
During the 13th circuit, the instructor simulated a left engine failure by closing the fuel valve. The student pilot followed the appropriate emergency procedures, continuing the approach with one engine inoperative. As the aircraft approached the third turn, the instructor restarted the left engine but kept it at idle power. Because the left engine power lever was at minimum, the aircraft's visual and audible warnings for the landing gear were activated.
Due to the significant distance remaining to the runway threshold, the instructor instructed the student to extend the landing gear on the final straight. During the approach, the crew focused heavily on maintaining the correct glide path while managing the asymmetric thrust, especially given the presence of left crosswinds and light turbulence. The student deployed the flaps to 10 degrees, but the landing gear remained retracted. The aircraft touched down and came to a stop approximately 250 meters down the concrete runway. The crew shut down the engines and exited the aircraft safely. There were no injuries to the crew, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and the lower fuselage skin.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the crew was preoccupied with maintaining the flight profile and managing the asymmetric thrust during a challenging approach. While the landing gear warning systems were functioning and providing continuous audible and visual alerts, the crew failed to perform the final landing checklist. The investigation also noted that the instructor had recently returned to instructional flying after a one-year hiatus from MEP training due to involvement in commercial aviation.
Findings
- Failure to execute the landing checklist.
- Failure to verify that the landing gear was properly extended.
- Failure to report the required aircraft configuration status prior to landing.
- A long break in the instructor's MEP training experience served as a contributing factor.