Introduction
On 23 May 2008, a Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Cherokee Arrow III, registration G-BNNX, was involved in an accident during a training flight at Bristol Airport, Gloucestershire. The aircraft touched down on Runway 09 without the landing gear extended.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, manufactured in 1977, was powered by one Continental Motors Corp TSIO-360-FB piston engine. The commander held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, aged 45, with a total flying experience of 2,242 hours, including 11 hours on type. The flight was a training sortie with one student and one instructor; no passengers were carried.
History of the Flight
The student had completed four circuits. During the base leg of the fifth circuit, the student announced she was "taking the gear". On final approach, the student performed the finals check, which included verifying the green down-and-locked indications for the landing gear. The instructor had checked these indications on the previous circuit but was unable to see the gear position indicators on the final circuit due to the student's hand obstructing the view. The approach was normal with very little wind.
Damage and Evacuation
The aircraft landed with the landing gear retracted, causing the underside of the fuselage to scrape along the runway before the aircraft came to a rapid stop. The engine was shut down immediately, and both the student and instructor evacuated the aircraft without difficulty. Damage was sustained to the propeller and fuselage, and the engine experienced a shock load.