Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident involved a Piper PA23-250F Aztec, registration EI-WMN, serial number 27-7954063, manufactured in 1979. It was powered by two Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 engines. The aircraft was conducting an aerial work operation with a single pilot and no passengers.
The pilot, aged 36, held a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by the Irish Aviation Authority on 26 October 2018. He had accumulated 284 flying hours, of which 82 were on the accident aircraft type.
Maintenance Background
Prior to the accident flight, the aircraft had undergone extensive maintenance. On 29 November 2019, during engine start for the first post-maintenance flight, the pilot observed that both left and right alternator INOP lights were illuminated. The flight was cancelled for rectification. Maintenance records indicate that a broken wire from the left engine alternator was replaced, and the alternator voltage regulator for the right engine was also replaced.
On the day of the accident, 2 December 2019, the pilot again observed the alternator INOP indications. During troubleshooting, the bulb from the nose landing gear indication light assembly was removed to facilitate a voltage check. After replacing the left engine alternator voltage regulator and refitting the bulb, the aircraft was released to service. The maintenance engineer reported that the green nose gear light illuminated after reinstallation.
History of the Flight
The pilot flew the aircraft from Shannon Airport (EINN) to Kerry Airport (EIKY) earlier that day. On approach to EIKY, the three green landing gear lights illuminated, indicating all gear down and locked. The pilot also observed the nose gear appeared extended via the mirror on the left engine cowling. At about 800 feet, the nose gear light flickered but then steadied, and a normal landing was performed. The pilot did not report the flickering to the operator, attributing it to the earlier bulb removal.
After departing EIKY at approximately 15:52 UTC, the aircraft returned to Shannon. During the approach to Runway 24, the pilot extended the landing gear and observed all three green lights. At about 700 feet, the nose gear light began flickering again. The pilot continued the approach, believing the situation mirrored the previous flight.
Accident Sequence
As the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at about 95 knots with flaps extended, the pilot reduced power. The red landing gear warning light illuminated and an aural alert sounded, indicating the landing gear was not correctly locked. The pilot reported that the main wheels were already on the runway, making a go-around impractical. He felt the nose gear collapse and attempted to keep the nose up by pulling back on the control column. The nose dropped, and both propellers struck the runway. The aircraft came to rest on the left side of the runway at approximately 16:24 UTC. The pilot, uninjured, exited the aircraft normally. There was no fire. The Airport Fire and Rescue Service attended and applied fire-retardant foam as a precaution.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The tips of both propellers were bent rearwards, and the lower surface of the nose section had abrasion damage. Both engines experienced shock loading. Repairs were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aircraft did not return to service until November 2021.