What happened
On 30 January 2010, a PIPER PA-28-R 200 “Cherokee Arrow II”, registration EC-IJI, was performing a positioning flight from Malaga Airport (LEMG) to Casarrubiod del Monte (LEMT) for a scheduled annual inspection. The flight, operated by a private entity, was accompanied by another aircraft from the same company.
During the approach phase at Malaga, the pilot encountered adverse meteorological conditions, including strong headwinds and downdrafts, which prompted a decision to return to the airport. During the subsequent approach, the pilot realized the landing gear had not fully extended. After performing a go-around, the pilot requested visual confirmation from air traffic control, who reported that the nose gear was retracted and the main gear legs were positioned between 30 and 45 degrees from the horizontal.
Following several unsuccessful attempts to extend the gear using the emergency procedure, the pilot decided to remain airborne to burn fuel. After declaring an emergency, the pilot followed air traffic control's suggestion to land on a taxiway. The landing resulted in no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot or passenger, though the aircraft sustained minor damage to the underside of the fuselage, landing gear doors, and propeller blade tips.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the cockpit systems, and the pilot's actions. Investigators discovered that the aircraft had recently been parked in an area of Malaga Airport that had been flooded, with water levels reaching near the bottom of the airframe. While the owner had noted the submersion in maintenance records, the required unscheduled inspections for water damage—specifically regarding electrical components and gear cycling—had not been performed.
Upon inspection of the cockpit, investigators found that the 25A circuit breaker for the landing gear pump had tripped. The breaker was located behind a cosmetic cover, making it difficult to access quickly during an emergency. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot was using an outdated version of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. The updated manual specified that the emergency gear extension lever must be held in the down position for at least seven seconds to ensure full deployment, whereas the obsolete manual used by the operator only instructed the pilot to push the lever forward.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a short circuit in the landing gear's hydraulic pump, likely triggered by moisture or water ingress in the pump compartment following the recent flooding.
- The failure to check the status of the circuit breakers, compounded by the difficulty of accessing them through a cosmetic cover, prevented the pilot from restoring power to the gear pump.
- The use of an outdated emergency procedure contributed to the gear failing to lock in the down position.
- The lack of a formal communication system between the maintenance organization (CAMO) and the aircraft owner resulted in the necessary water-immersion inspections not being executed prior to flight.