Sequence of Events
The flight was intended as a local instrument proficiency check for a commercial pilot. After engine start difficulties requiring external power, the aircraft departed Málaga at 13:00 local time. During holding at the MGA VOR, the crew experienced cyclic audio and navigation equipment failures, with instrument needles oscillating. They declared a communications failure (squawk 7600) and returned to Málaga. The crew managed to re-establish radio contact and were cleared to land. During the landing rollout, at about 10 knots, the main landing gear retracted, causing the tail to strike the runway. The aircraft slid for about 10 meters before the right wing dropped to the pavement.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, right wing leading edge, and the ADF antenna.
Post-Incident Inspection
After recovery, the aircraft was jacked and the landing gear extended normally. The green down‑lock indicator illuminated, albeit dimly. The battery was dead, but after a manual start, all electrical systems functioned correctly. Subsequent ground tests with the aircraft on jacks showed no gear anomalies; however, in one test with hydraulic pressure reduced, the gear remained locked despite attempts to unlock it. The green light circuit was verified to require all three microswitches to be actuated.
Communications and Operations
Communications difficulties were reported before and during the flight. The runway was closed for 40 minutes while the aircraft was removed, causing three inbound flights to divert to Sevilla and three departures from Málaga to be delayed.
No probable cause was determined.