Training Flight Lands Without Gear at Lleida-Alguaire Airport

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto de Lleida - Alguaire (Lleida), ES

A Tecnam P2006T aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted during an engine failure simulation, resulting in damage to the aircraft's fuselage.

What happened

On March 9, 2022, a Tecnam P20-6T, registration 5B-CLR, performed a landing at Lleida-Alguaire Airport in Spain with its landing gear in the retracted position. The aircraft, operated by BAA Training, was conducting a dual-command training flight with an instructor and a student pilot on board.

The flight had been underway for approximately two hours and 15 minutes, consisting of instrument approach practice followed by VFR circuit work. During the third circuit, the crew simulated a right-engine failure on the downwind leg. Following the simulation, the student pilot performed the procedures to secure the engine. However, the approach was high and fast, requiring the instructor's full attention to correct the flight path.

During this period, the crew failed to complete the landing checklist and did not verify the landing gear position. Although an audible alarm had been sounding continuously since the engine failure simulation, the crew delayed the deployment and ultimately forgot to extend the gear. The aircraft made contact with the runway with the gear retracted, traveling approximately 200 meters before stopping. There were no injuries to the crew, but the aircraft sustained damage to the underside of the fuselage.

The investigation

The CIAIAC investigation focused on the crew's workload and the effectiveness of the aircraft's warning systems. The investigation established that the landing gear system was fully functional and that the visual indicators (three green lights) were available for verification.

Investigators found that the crew ignored the continuous audible warning. The student pilot noted that the landing gear alarm was difficult to distinguish from a stall warning. The investigation also reviewed the flight school's Standard Operating Manual (SOM), finding that the sequence of actions for engine failure training was improperly documented, potentially contributing to the confusion during the maneuver.

Findings

  • The landing gear extension system was fully operational.
  • The crew failed to complete the landing checklist, which would have confirmed the gear status.
  • The crew failed to respond to the continuous audible landing gear warning.
  • The primary cause of the incident was a failure to adhere to established procedures, leading to the gear remaining retracted during landing.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by the crew's failure to follow checklist procedures and their failure to heed audible warnings during an engine failure simulation.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-03-09 TECNAM modelo P2006T accident near Aeropuerto de Lleida - Alguaire (Lleida), ES?

A Tecnam P2006T aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted during an engine failure simulation, resulting in damage to the aircraft's fuselage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-03-09 involved a TECNAM modelo P2006T, registration 5B-CLR, at Aeropuerto de Lleida - Alguaire (Lleida), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the crew's failure to follow checklist procedures and their failure to heed audible warnings during an engine failure simulation.

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