Accident Overview
On 14 September 2017, a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II (registration 9H-AEB) landed on Runway 23/05 at Luqa Airport, Malta, with its landing gear retracted. The aircraft was conducting a training flight with two pilots on board. Both occupants evacuated via the normal door following the landing. Emergency services attended the scene; no fire occurred and no assistance was required. No injuries were reported.
Aircraft and Systems
The Seneca II is a twin-engine aircraft powered by two Continental TSIO-360RB piston engines. The landing gear system employs hydraulic power from a single reversible electric pump. Gear selection is controlled by a switch on the instrument panel. In case of hydraulic pressure loss, the landing gear should free-fall; an emergency extension valve can also be pulled. The main gear down-lock mechanism uses an over-center side-stay secured by hooks engaging a pin, which also actuates a micro-switch to illuminate the associated green down-and-locked indicator. A gear-unsafe red warning light illuminates if any gear fails to lock. Aural warnings include a horn activated when the gear is up and manifold pressure is reduced, or when the gear selector is in the UP position on the ground.
History of the Flight
The flight was a training session focused on circuit work, including touch-and-go landings and single-engine approaches. The student pilot occupied the left seat and had logged approximately four hours of multi-engine time on a different aircraft type. The instructor had about 60 hours on the Seneca II and a total of 5,300 flight hours. During the approach, the crew landed with the landing gear up. Neither pilot was able to explain why the gear was not extended, and air traffic control was not informed of any problem.
Inspection and Findings
Following the accident, the aircraft was placed on jacks in a hangar. Functional tests revealed that the landing gear extension and retraction systems, including the electro-hydraulic pump and emergency free-fall extension, operated normally. The aural and visual warning systems were tested and found to comply with the Piper Seneca technical manual. Both propellers suffered extensive damage, and scratch marks were noted on the underside of the fuselage and engine cowlings. The engines and associated systems required thorough inspection. Maintenance records were found to be correct and compliant with regulations.
Checklist Use and Crew Interview
The report discusses two common checklist formats: flow-check (do and read) and self-challenge/response (read and do). During interviews, the instructor stated that the training session was briefed in detail, including weather, NOTAMs, weight and balance, and performance calculations. However, the instructor expressed dissatisfaction with the requirement to complete the multi-engine rating in only two hours on this aircraft type, noting that the student needed more time for proficiency. The instructor felt that the pressure to achieve the training goals in a limited timeframe distracted him from primary duties.
Both pilots reported confusion on the flight deck regarding role expectations. They were unsure whether the pre-landing checklist was inadvertently omitted, performed by recall, or by whom it was completed. The crew stated they felt under pressure to finish all required exercises within the two-hour session, leading to time management taking precedence over flight management and safety.
Conclusion
Investigation found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have hindered normal operation. CCTV footage showed the student pilot performing a near-perfect landing, indicating the aircraft was under control throughout. The crew's failure to complete the before-landing checklist or to follow correct procedures may have contributed to the accident. The crew's perceived pressure to complete the training within the allotted time may have created a situation where time management became more important than flight management and safety.