Accident Overview
On 16 June 2017, a SOCATA TB20 Trinidad, registered CN-CDP, operated by CFPNT Academy, was involved in an accident at Tanger-Ibn Battouta Airport (GMTT), Morocco. The aircraft, on a private flight from Al Hoceima (GMTA), was carrying one pilot and two passengers. The accident occurred at 16:39 UTC.
Sequence of Events
The pilot received local weather information and landing clearance for runway 10 from air traffic control. During the descent, the aircraft was configured for a normal landing. The aircraft touched down on the runway with the landing gear retracted, sliding approximately 80 meters before coming to a stop facing north. Airport rescue and firefighting services applied water to the surroundings to prevent fire and later restored the aircraft to its normal position to clear the runway. No fire occurred before or after impact.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries or fatalities were reported among the pilot and passengers. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including damage to the ventral fuselage, the tips of both flaps, the step, and the propeller blades. Friction marks from the step, propeller, and fuselage were observed on the runway.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a SOCATA TB20 Trinidad (serial number 853), powered by a Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D engine and equipped with a Hartzell HC-C2YK-1BF two-blade constant-speed propeller. It had a valid airworthiness certificate until 17 July 2017. Total airframe hours were 8,416 hours 55 minutes. The last scheduled maintenance (semi-annual/50-hour) was conducted on 10 May 2017 by the approved maintenance organization CFPNT. Review of maintenance records revealed that all landing gear-related tasks were performed except the replacement of the nose gear emergency extension gas struts, which the maintenance manual recommended exchanging annually.
The pilot, a 62-year-old male, held a valid private pilot license (No. 600) with a single-engine piston rating valid until 31 May 2019 and a PPL instructor rating. His total flight experience was 4,425 hours, including 227 hours on the TB20. In the previous 90 days, he had logged 11 hours 40 minutes on type; in the last 30 days, 5 hours 40 minutes; and in the last 24 hours, 3 hours 30 minutes.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather at the time included strong winds with gusts up to 30 knots. The METAR for 16:30 UTC reported wind from 090° at 17 knots, gusting to 30 knots, variable between 060° and 120°. Visibility was greater than 10 km, with few clouds at 1,500 feet. Temperature was 36°C, QNH 1013 hPa, with no significant change expected.
Investigation Findings
Investigators from the Moroccan Bureau of Enquiries and Analyses (BEA) conducted tests of the landing gear extension and retraction in both normal and emergency modes, as well as physical examination of the gear system. No mechanical failure was detected. All warning lights and audible alarms were functional. The three landing gear locking mechanisms showed no defects, and no hydraulic leaks were found. The landing gear control lever was found in the "down" position.
The pilot reported that the flight proceeded normally until touchdown, when the landing gear retracted instinctively and the aircraft landed on its belly, stopping after about ten meters. Marks left by the step on the runway indicated that the gear was retracted during the slide.
The report noted potential contributing factors such as pilot fatigue and pressure due to traffic congestion at Tanger Airport, non-appropriate use of the landing checklist, tunnel vision during approach, and non-perception of visual and audible landing gear warnings.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the aircraft landed with the landing gear retracted.