Incident Overview
On 28 May 2021, a Piper PA-44-180 twin-engine aircraft, registration OM-ARC, operated by Rera Air s.r.o, was on an IFR flight from Košice Airport (LZKZ) in Slovakia to Rijeka Airport (LDRI) in Croatia. The flight carried a pilot and two passengers. At approximately 13:35 local time, after experiencing a total loss of electrical power, the aircraft landed on runway 32 at Rijeka Airport with its landing gear retracted. No physical injuries were reported, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.
Chronology of Events
The flight departed Košice at 10:30 under IFR rules. The takeoff and en route portion were uneventful, cruising at 12,000 feet. While over the Zagreb area, the air traffic controller requested a transponder check. At that moment, the pilot noticed that the voltage from both alternators was outside normal limits, indicating the alternators were not producing electrical power. The pilot reported the problem to ATC and continued toward Rijeka, attempting to troubleshoot. He informed ATC that due to degraded navigation equipment, he would proceed to the KULEN waypoint, descend to 7,000 feet, and conduct a visual approach. The pilot progressively shut off electrical consumers: lights, ADF, and kept both GARMIN GPS/NAV/COM units and the transponder on. Several attempts to reset the alternators failed.
During landing preparation, the pilot selected the landing gear lever down, but the gear did not extend. He then attempted the emergency gear extension handle, but could not pull it. He performed multiple low passes over Rijeka Airport to visually check the gear position. Since mobile phone signal was available at that altitude, he contacted a mechanic in Slovakia for advice and also called the Rijeka Tower controller to confirm whether the gear appeared extended. The controller reported the gear was not visible in the down position and cleared the aircraft to land. The aircraft touched down with the gear retracted at about 13:35 LT.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants were uninjured. The aircraft sustained minor damage typical of a gear-up landing: longitudinal stringers on the lower fuselage were damaged, and both propeller blades on each engine had tip damage. No other damage occurred.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the serious incident was caused by human factor. The aircraft was technically examined; the electrical system failure and subsequent inability to extend the landing gear were linked to maintenance actions performed prior to the flight. The investigation issued safety recommendations to the Slovak aviation authorities and the maintenance mechanic.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the serious incident was caused by human factor.