What happened
On November 16, 2022, a flight training mission intended for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)) examination resulted in an abnormal runway contact at Cascais Aerodrome (LPCS), Portugal. The flight, operated by Sevenair Academy, involved an instructor pilot and a student pilot performing a series of maneuvers, including a low-altitude go-around and a planned landing without flaps to simulate a system failure.
During the approach to runway 35, the student pilot initially began configuring the aircraft with flaps. The instructor pilot intervened to correct this, as the mission required a flapless configuration. This interaction disrupted the standard flow of the landing sequence. Consequently, the crew failed to complete the "Landing Checklist," and the landing gear remained retracted during the touchdown.
The Tecnam P2006T, registration D-GSEV, struck the runway with its landing gear up, causing damage to the lower primary structure, including the fuselage skin and frames, and shearing several antennas. Both occupants were uninjured.
The investigation
The GPIAAF examined the flight crew's records, the aircraft's mechanical systems, and the cockpit environment. The investigation confirmed that the crew was properly authorized for the flight and that the instructor possessed approximately 1,100 total flight hours, with 500 hours on type. The student pilot had approximately 180 total hours, including 39 hours in multi-engine aircraft.
Post-event operational tests were conducted on the aircraft's electro-hydraulic landing gear system. The investigation established that the gear actuation system, including the visual and audible warning mechanisms, was functioning according to manufacturer specifications. The crew reported that they did not hear any aural warning during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to execute the landing checklist following an instructor intervention.
- The instructor's correction of the flap configuration interrupted the normal sequence of landing preparations.
- The landing gear warning horn did not activate because the engine power levers were not set to idle and the flaps were not in the landing position, which are required conditions for the alarm to trigger.
- The aircraft's landing gear and warning systems were found to be in normal working order.