What happened
On June 27, 2009, at approximately 14:45 UTC, a Socata TB 20, registration CS-DEU, was performing a solo flight mission at Évora Aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by the Academia Aeronáutica de Évora (AAE), was approaching runway 19. During the approach, the student pilot was informed by the Aerodrome Traffic Information Service (AFIS) that parachute jumping activities were occurring near the runway.
While the pilot initially suggested diverting to a different waypoint to avoid the jumpers, the AFIS advised that a closed circuit could be completed. The presence of parachutists near the runway caused the student pilot to become distracted, splitting their attention between monitoring the jumpers and piloting the aircraft. As the aircraft approached the final segment, the pilot reduced engine power and extended the flaps to the landing position. However, the landing gear remained retracted. The aircraft subsequently touched down on its landing gear fairings, causing significant damage to the propeller blades, flaps, and cowlings. The student pilot exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the operational environment. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records and performed functional tests on the hydraulic landing gear system. These tests confirmed that the landing gear was fully operational and showed no mechanical anomalies or failures. The investigation also reviewed the presence of active NOTAMs regarding parachute jumping and the pilot's use of checklists and cockpit monitoring during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to timely extend the landing gear and the inadequate verification of the aircraft's configuration.
- The student pilot did not visually confirm the landing gear position lights or utilize the required checklists during the final approach.
- The presence of parachute jumping activities near the runway acted as a significant distraction, diverting the pilot's attention from essential landing procedures.
- The pilot failed to discontinue the landing approach despite the lack of confirmation regarding the gear status.
- The aircraft's audible warning system, designed to alert the pilot when the gear is up, was not effectively utilized or acknowledged.