What happened
On March 17, 2007, a private PIPER PA-28 RT-201T, registration D-EITH, departed from Melilla Airport for a local flight. After approximately 15 minutes of flight, the pilot attempted to land on runway 33. During the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide 171 meters along the runway. The impact resulted in bent propeller blades and damage to the nose gear strut, but the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the functionality of the landing gear and electrical systems. Upon inspection, the aircraft was found with the gear retracted. While the hydraulic pump and battery were in good condition, investigators found that the landing gear circuit breaker had tripped.
Functional tests revealed that while the gear actuation system worked correctly, the intensity of the landing gear position indicator lights was extremely low and difficult to see from the cockpit. Furthermore, it was noted that activating the landing lights caused a drop in the intensity of these indicator lights, a known characteristic of this aircraft type.
Findings
- The pilot perceived that the three green landing gear lights had extinguished after turning on the landing lights during short final.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft's electrical behavior, combined with the recent period of inactivity, contributed to uncertainty regarding the gear status.
- The landing gear failure was likely caused by the gear being unlocked or partially obstructed during touchdown, which triggered a high current draw that tripped the circuit breaker.
- The pilot failed to execute proper emergency procedures, such as performing a go-around to verify the gear position and reset the breaker, choosing instead to proceed with the landing despite the lack of visual confirmation.