Event Sequence
On 4 March 2024 at 10:55 local time, during approach to land at EPMO, the crew of a Piper PA-44 180T (registration SP-MIS) noted the absence of a front landing gear down indication. The pilot retracted and then re‑extended the gear, but the front gear indication remained missing. The crew informed EPMO tower and performed a low pass over the runway; controllers confirmed that the front gear strut was not extended.
The aircraft was directed to a holding area for troubleshooting. Over a dozen attempts to extend the gear were unsuccessful. An emergency gear release was also tried but did not lock the front strut in the down position. The crew decided to consume excess fuel while orbiting and then execute an emergency landing.
During subsequent flight, additional extension attempts continued. During one attempt, the hydraulic pump briefly stopped operating, then resumed. The next attempt succeeded in extending and locking the front gear. The crew confirmed the gear down with a visual pass over the runway and subsequently landed on runway 08 at EPMO without further incident.
Cause
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined that the incident resulted from a mechanical failure of the front landing gear extension and retraction system, characterised by abnormal friction in the mechanism, blockage of the mechanism, and contamination of the mechanism bearings.
Corrective Actions
The investigating entity dismantled the front landing gear mechanism, cleaned all components, installed a new set of mechanism bearings, new bushings and bolts, and replaced the springs of the front wheel fork arms. All bushings and the mechanism were re‑lubricated. The position switches for the front gear extension/retraction were adjusted, and the lower mounting bushing of the front landing gear was re‑aligned.
No safety recommendations were issued.