Landing Gear Failure During Training Flight at Cuatro Vientos (EC-HYP)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On August 31, 2003, a Piper PA-34-200T, registration EC-HYP, operated by Aerea Flying Training Organization, departed from runway 28 at Cuatro Vientos Airport in Madrid at approximately 09:05 local time. The aircraft was conducting a general aviation training flight with dual command. The flight crew consisted of a 32-year-old commercial pilot acting as the pilot in command and instructor, a commercial pilot undergoing training for a license renewal, and a second instructor seated in the rear. The aircraft was fully fueled and completed a series of normal training maneuvers before returning to the airport. The approach to runway 28 was uneventful, with a headwind of approximately 5 knots. The landing gear was lowered and locked, indicated by three green lights in the cockpit. The aircraft was cleared to land at 09:51 and touched down in the first third of the runway. Occupants described the landing as normal, though slightly hard, with the wings level. During the landing roll, the instructor took control of the aircraft. As speed decreased, the right wing began to lower progressively. The instructor applied left aileron, but the right landing gear leg eventually failed, causing the aircraft to rest on the right side of the runway. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 980 meters from the start of runway 28, having dragged for about 500 meters, primarily on the right wheel and the cabin access step. The right wingtip was approximately one meter from the runway edge. The occupants, who were uninjured, shut down the engines and electrical systems and evacuated the aircraft. The runway was closed from 09:52 to 10:45 while fire crews removed the aircraft. No fire occurred, although there was a risk due to fuel and hydraulic fluid leaks and sparks from the drag. Debris, including parts of the shock absorber piston and brake pads, was recovered from the runway.