What happened
On 22 July 2017, a private flight involving a Piper PA-28RT-201, registration N2136E, was conducting a local circuit near Sandtoft Airfield in Lincolnshire. Approximately 45 minutes into the flight, the pilot decided to return to the airfield after a passenger became unwell. The pilot notified Sandtoft Airfield of the intention to perform a straight-in approach to Runway 23.
As the aircraft reached roughly five miles from the airfield, the pilot began the landing checklist and selected the electrically actuated landing gear to the down position. Within two to three seconds of this selection, the aircraft suffered a complete loss of electrical power. While the pilot confirmed that the circuit breakers remained in, the loss of power meant the radio was no longer functional. Despite the lack of gear-down light indications, the landing gear lever remained in the down position. The pilot proceeded with the approach, but during the landing, the propeller struck the runway surface. The aircraft subsequently slid along the runway before coming to a halt. The four occupants, including the pilot and three passengers, evacuated the aircraft without any injuries, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the gear selection and the subsequent loss of electrical systems. Investigators examined the aircraft's electrical architecture and the status of the landing gear at the moment of the failure. It was determined that the landing gear was electrically actuated and had likely not reached the locked position before the power loss occurred. The investigation also looked into the cause of the sudden electrical outage.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered a total electrical failure shortly after the landing gear was commanded to the down position.
- The landing gear was likely still in transit and had not locked into place when the power was lost.
- The primary cause of the electrical failure was identified as a faulty Battery Master switch.