What happened
On October 2, 2021, a Tecnam P2006T, registration SP-ZNA, was conducting a training flight with a student pilot and an instructor. After departing from Bydgoszcz Airport (EPBY), the crew initiated the landing gear retraction sequence. During this process, the pilot observed a persistent "GEAR PUMP ON" message on the cockpit display. This warning remained active despite the gear being retracted, suggesting either an incomplete retraction or a failure of the system to confirm the gear was locked in the up position. Additionally, the crew noted that the landing gear hydraulic pump continued to operate continuously.
Following established emergency procedures, the crew first attempted to manually extend the landing gear, which was unsuccessful. The crew then proceeded to execute the emergency gear extension procedure. This secondary attempt was successful, resulting in the landing gear being fully extended and locked. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at the airport without any damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the electrical and hydraulic systems responsible for the landing gear mechanism. The investigation examined the cockpit warnings, the continuous operation of the hydraulic pump, and the functionality of the gear locking sensors following the event. The aircraft was subsequently handed over to a maintenance organization to inspect the retraction and extension systems.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a failure of a switch in the electrical circuit supplying power to the landing gear hydraulic pump.
- The continuous operation of the pump and the persistent cockpit warning were direct results of this electrical fault.