Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft, a Piper PA-24-250 Comanche registered G-ARLB, was manufactured in 1960 (serial no. 24-2352) and powered by one Lycoming O-540-A1D5 piston engine. The private flight departed from Blackbushe Aerodrome on 1 October 2014 at 1153 hrs UTC, with the sole pilot intending to position the aircraft to Turweston Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, for maintenance.
Pilot Information
The 76-year-old commander held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 2,492 total flying hours, including 892 hours on the type. His recent flying experience consisted of 8 hours in the last 90 days and 3 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Sequence
During the climb-out after takeoff, while retracting the landing gear, the aircraft suffered a total loss of electrical power. The pilot attempted to restore power but was unsuccessful. He initially elected to return to Blackbushe but then discovered that the landing gear could not be lowered manually. Consequently, he decided to continue to Turweston, where the aircraft’s maintenance organisation was based. The aircraft made a gear-up landing at Turweston. The pilot, who was uninjured, exited the aircraft normally.
Damage
The engine was shock-loaded, and damage occurred to the propeller and the underside of the fuselage.