Incident Overview
On 17 October 2023, a Tecnam P2006T aircraft, registration SP-SMV, was involved in an incident at EPZG (Zielona Góra-Babimost Airport, Poland). The flight was a CPL/MEP(L)/IR examination conducted by an examiner and a student pilot. The crew first repositioned the aircraft from EPPO to EPZG to collect the aircraft after maintenance. After landing at EPZG, the crew filed a flight plan for EPZG-EPPO. During taxi, the examiner requested and received permission to perform two additional touch-and-go circuits at EPZG.
Sequence of Events
After completing the first touch-and-go and landing on Runway 24 with flaps in landing configuration, the aircraft took off for a second circuit. The examiner instructed the student to perform a landing without flaps extended. During the approach, the student reported performing the before-landing checklist and verbalizing the steps, but did not move the landing gear lever to the down position nor check the three green indicator lights. Approaching the runway, the aircraft initially maintained increased speed, which the student attributed to a flapless configuration. The student gradually reduced speed and adjusted the descent path, but the aircraft floated over the runway. The examiner assessed that this was due to the flapless configuration and relatively weak headwind. The crew then heard a scraping sound of the lower fuselage against the runway surface. Visual inspection confirmed a landing with the landing gear retracted. The tower was informed. The student shut down engines, fuel pumps, and electrical power. The airport fire service secured the scene. Both pilots were uninjured; alcohol tests were negative for both.
Aircraft Damage
After lifting the aircraft on jacks, the landing gear system was found to be serviceable. The landing gear was extended, and the aircraft was towed to the hangar. Inspection revealed damage to the lower fuselage skin and broken antennas under the aircraft. Repairs were performed according to Work Card No. 1898, issued by Tecnam on 20 October 2023.
Analysis
Investigation revealed that the student pilot failed to perform two critical checklist items during approach: (1) moving the landing gear lever to the down position, and (2) checking for the three green landing gear indicator lights. The student, focusing on the higher approach speed and correcting the descent path, neglected the landing gear. The examiner did not observe that the student had not extended the gear nor checked the indicators. The aircraft was equipped with a warning horn that activates when the gear lever is up and at least one throttle is retarded or flaps are in landing position; the horn likely activated but was not recognized by the crew.
Conclusions
The investigation determined the following causes: 1. Improper distribution of attention by the student pilot during approach, focusing primarily on correcting the descent path. 2. Insufficient oversight by the examiner of the student's cockpit actions.
No contributing factors were identified. No safety recommendations were issued beyond the operator's action to brief all instructors training on this aircraft type about the incident.