Incident Overview
On 30 January 2010, at approximately 09:25 UTC, a Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II aircraft, registration EC-IJI, operated by GAMISA AVIACIÓN, experienced a landing gear malfunction while on approach to Málaga Airport (LEMG). The flight had departed from Málaga at 08:15 with a pilot and one passenger onboard, destined for Casarrubios aerodrome (LEMT) for an airworthiness certificate renewal inspection.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft, flying behind a company aircraft (GMJ-01), encountered adverse meteorological conditions and both decided to return to Málaga. During the approach, the pilot noticed the landing gear was not fully locked. After informing the control tower, the pilot executed a go-around and performed several low passes. Controllers reported that the nose gear was fully retracted, and the main gear legs were positioned between 30 and 45 degrees from horizontal.
Emergency Procedures
The pilot proceeded to point E1 of the Málaga CTR and attempted the emergency gear extension procedure. Despite multiple attempts, the gear could not be locked down. The pilot remained airborne to burn fuel, declared an emergency, and then landed the aircraft on a taxiway, as suggested by air traffic control.
Aftermath
Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained injuries. The aircraft suffered minor damage to the underside of the fuselage, landing gear doors, and propeller blade tips.
Aircraft and Personnel
The aircraft was a single-engine, low-wing retractable-gear Piper PA-28R-200 (serial number 28R-7335013), equipped with a 310-HP IO-550-N TCM engine and Hartzell propeller. The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)) and had accumulated 1,911.35 total flight hours, with 758.83 hours on type.
Landing Gear System
The landing gear was hydraulically operated by an electric reversible pump. The aircraft was equipped with a Backup Gear Extender (BGE) system designed to automatically lower the gear under certain conditions. The emergency extension system included an emergency lever between the pilot seats, which could release hydraulic pressure to allow gravity drop.
The system's operation was described in the Pilot's Operating Handbook, including procedures for manual emergency lowering. The BGE system could be overridden or used for emergency deployment. The manufacturer had issued Service Letter No. 810 regarding diaphragm replacement and Service Bulletin SB866A recommending removal of the BGE system.
Subsequent Inspection
Weeks before the incident, storms had flooded the general aviation platform at Málaga Airport, and the aircraft had been parked in an affected area with its landing gear submerged nearly to the airframe. The Maintenance Manual contained unscheduled inspection requirements for water damage, but the report does not state whether this inspection was performed.