What happened
On May 12, 2015, at approximately 12:09 local time, a Piper PA 28R-180, registration OB-1896, was conducting a second flight training session at the María Reiche Neuman Airport in Nazca, Peru. The flight was being operated by the flight school CIAC 3 Jorge Chavez Darnell S.A., with an instructor pilot in the right seat supervising a trainee instructor pilot in the left seat.
After completing an initial traffic pattern, the trainee pilot attempted to land on runway 25. During the landing roll, both crew members heard the sound of metal striking parts of the aircraft. In response, the instructor pilot took control of the aircraft, applied full power to initiate an immediate climb, and then retracted the throttle to extend the landing gear. Once the landing gear warning light and siren deactivated, the crew completed the landing on the remaining portion of the runway.
The crew taxied the aircraft to the parking area of a maintenance organization. Upon inspection, it was determined that the propeller tips were bent due to contact with the runway (propeller strike), and damage was also noted on the trailing edge of the left wing. There were no injuries to the crew and no damage to private property.
The investigation
The CIAA initiated an investigation and conducted field inquiries at the site. The investigation involved coordination with a representative from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The investigation focused on the operational sequence of the landing and the status of the landing gear during the approach.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a propeller strike caused by the landing gear not being fully extended during the landing roll.
- The crew identified the impact through audible metal-on-metal sounds.
- The landing gear warning system deactivated after the gear was manually extended during the aborted landing attempt.