History of the Flight
On 12 February 2019, at 11:04 local time, a Piper PA-34-200T aircraft, registration EC-EPR, departed Córdoba Airport for a local training flight. On board were an instructor and a student pilot. The flight was intended for the student to log hours toward a multi-engine instrument rating. The student practiced instrument maneuvers such as intercepting radials, DME arcs, and holding patterns outside the flight information zone. Later, to maximize flight time, they performed landings and takeoffs on runway 03. After the first landing, during the climb, the student retracted the landing gear and noted that the three green gear-down indicator lights were off.
They then joined the circuit with two other aircraft in sight. The approach was stabilized at the proper speed. During the flare, the crew throttled to idle, at which point an alarm sounded. They identified it as a stall alarm and considered the situation normal. Expecting touchdown, they realized the aircraft was sinking more than usual until the engines stopped after the propellers contacted the asphalt. The aircraft skidded approximately 200 meters along the runway before coming to a stop on the left side.
Injuries and Damage
Neither occupant was injured. Both exited the aircraft under their own power. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the propellers and the underside of the fuselage.
Crew Information
The instructor, a 29-year-old Spanish national, held a commercial pilot license with multi-engine and instrument ratings, as well as class and flight instructor ratings. He had a total of 870 flight hours, with 75 hours on the type. His medical certificate was valid until 4 May 2019. The student, a 32-year-old Spanish national, held a private pilot license with a single-engine rating. He had 170 flight hours, with 12:45 hours on the type. His medical certificate was valid until 29 October 2019.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-34-200T is a twin-engine, retractable-gear aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 2073 kg and two Teledyne Continental TSIO-360-E engines of 200 HP each. The incident aircraft, serial number 34-7870191, was manufactured in 1978 and registered on 20 December 2016. It had a certificate of airworthiness issued on 10 February 2005 and a valid airworthiness review certificate until 6 November 2019.
Investigation Findings
The investigation concluded that the incident was caused by the improper execution of the landing procedure, which resulted in landing with the gear up.