What happened
On 23 June 2010, a Piper PA-32RT-300 Cherokee Lance II, registration G-BRHA, was conducting a private flight near Earls Colne Airfield in Essex. During the flight, the pilot decided to perform a Practice Forced Landing (PFL) from an altitude of approximately 2,500 ft. To simulate an engine failure, the pilot reduced the throttle to idle.
Following the completion of the maneuver, the pilot chose to proceed with an approach to Runway 2le rather than performing a go-around as originally planned. During this final approach, the pilot failed to extend the undercarriage. Consequently, the propeller and the lower section of the fuselage struck the runway surface. The aircraft slid along the asphalt before veering off the runway into the adjacent grass. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and found damage to the propeller, engine, fuselage, and flaps, noting that the engine had suffered a shock-load. The investigation focused on why the undercarriage remained retracted. The aircraft is fitted with a warning horn that sounds if power is reduced below a specific manifold pressure while the gear is not locked down. The pilot confirmed that the horn had activated at the start of the PFL and continued to sound throughout the maneuver.
Upon inspection by a maintenance company, the undercarriage lever was found in the 'UP' position. However, when the aircraft was placed on jacks, the undercarriage was found to operate correctly.
Findings
- The pilot made a last-minute decision to land the aircraft instead of executing a go-around.
- The pilot failed to select the undercarriage down position due to becoming accustomed to the continuous sound of the undercarriage warning horn during the simulated engine failure maneuver.