Summary
On October 19, 2004, at 07:50 UTC, a Piper PA-60-602P, registration EC-HRJ, landed with its landing gear retracted on runway 31 at Sabadell Airport (Barcelona). The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and exited the aircraft unaided. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the propellers and the lower fuselage, primarily on the left side.
Flight History
The aircraft departed Pamplona Airport at 06:45 UTC and flew normally to Sabadell. During the landing roll, the aircraft touched down with the landing gear not extended. The landing roll was 398 meters from the first contact point to where the aircraft stopped. After the aircraft came to a stop, the cockpit controls were observed: the landing gear lever was in the DOWN position, and the flaps lever was in the FULL position. When the aircraft was lifted by a crane, the landing gear extended and locked, and the aircraft was towed to the hangar.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-60-602P, serial number 62P-0897-8165027, manufactured in 1981. It was privately operated. The retractable tricycle landing gear is hydraulically actuated. The landing gear lever is located on the center pedestal. Three green lights indicate each gear down and locked; an amber light indicates all gears up. A red warning light and audible alarm activate when manifold pressure is below 14 inches Hg and the gear is not down and locked.
Investigation Findings
Post-incident functional tests were conducted with the aircraft on jacks. With the landing gear lever in DOWN and hydraulic pressure applied, the gear extended correctly and three green lights illuminated. Retraction with lever in UP worked normally. When hydraulic pressure was removed, the gear extended by gravity; the nose gear green light did not illuminate despite the gear extending and locking. No other malfunctions were found. The only discrepancy was the nose gear indicator light failing to illuminate when the gear was extended without hydraulic pressure.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that during approach, he followed the aircraft manual procedures and believed three green lights were on. He recalled that a slower aircraft was ahead, and due to wind, he moved the flap lever to retract flaps without visually verifying which lever he was operating. He stated it was likely he moved the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever. He did not recall hearing the gear warning alarm during power reduction.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was an inadvertent operation by the pilot of the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever, possibly due to the pilot being focused on maintaining adequate separation from preceding traffic.