Summary
On 19 January 2019, at about 13:30 local time, a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, registration EC-BBX, departed from Requena aerodrome for a local visual flight rules (VFR) flight with two occupants on board.
Accident Sequence
During the initial climb, the pilot operated the landing gear control to retract the gear. The retraction cycle did not complete, and the landing gear circuit breaker had tripped. After resetting the breaker, the pilot attempted to retract the gear again, and the breaker tripped again. The pilot also noticed a burning smell and decided to return to the aerodrome. Shortly thereafter, a total loss of electrical power occurred, affecting electrically powered instruments, navigation, and communications. As the aircraft approached the aerodrome, electrical power was restored. The pilot then operated the gear control to extend the landing gear, which caused another loss of electrical power that became permanent. The pilot concluded that the landing gear was down and locked based on a perceived decrease in airspeed. The aircraft landed without flaps. Upon touchdown, all three landing gear legs retracted, and the aircraft slid on its lower fuselage, veered left, exited the runway, and came to a stop on the strip between the runway and the parallel taxiway.
Damage
The lower fuselage structure was crushed, the main landing gear linkage system and doors were damaged, and the nose gear frame was broken. Both propellers were similarly damaged, with their tips bent forward.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche (serial number 30-642), privately owned and operated. The pilot held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) with multi-engine piston (MEP), single-engine piston (SEP), instrument rating (IR), and night ratings. He had 1,042 total flight hours, including 260 on the type. The pilot's medical certificate was valid. The two occupants were uninjured.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by landing with the landing gear only partially extended. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate assessment of the situation, which led him not to perform the manual landing gear extension, and the non-connection or inadvertent disconnection of both alternators.