What happened
On 1 June 2022, a Piper PA-34-200T, registration G-CAHA, was conducting a training flight as part of a multi-engine pilot course at Dundee Airport. During the final approach, the student pilot performed the necessary downwind checks and confirmed that the landing gear was down and locked, indicated by the "three greens" on the instrument panel.
Following a landing described by the instructor as normal, the aircraft began to oscillate and tilt toward the right. During this movement, the right wing and the propeller of the right engine made contact with the runway surface. The instructor assumed control of the aircraft, maintaining a straight course and bringing the plane to a halt. All three occupants, including the crew and one passenger, exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the structural integrity and functionality of the landing gear. Engineers from the responsible maintenance organisation inspected the aircraft's electrical and hydraulic systems. Their examination revealed no faults within these systems. Furthermore, repeated testing of the landing gear selection process showed that the switches and the down-lock safety mechanisms for both the nose and main landing gear were functioning correctly. Upon inspection of the wreckage, it was determined that the right main landing gear had collapsed.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the airframe, both engines, and both propellers.
- The aircraft was subsequently written off by insurers.
- There was no evidence of a mechanical or electrical failure in the landing gear deployment or locking systems prior to the collapse.