What happened
On 10 September 2008, a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, registration G-BOWE, was conducting a training flight near Oxford Airport. The flight was being operated by a student pilot in the left seat with an instructor in the right seat. While established on an ILS approach to Runway 19, the aircraft was noted to be high on final approach.
At a distance of 2.7 nm from the airfield beacon, the aircraft was at an altitude of 1,500 ft QNH. Although the required landing checks had not been finished, the instructor used the moment to teach the student recovery techniques. To assist the student, the instructor directed the lowering of flaps, moving from 25° to full landing flap as the airspeed dropped below 107 kt. The student attempted to stabilize the airspeed at 85 kt by reducing throttle and increasing manifold air pressure.
As the aircraft neared the runway threshold, the instructor instructed the student to maintain 15 inches of manifold air pressure. Upon realizing the aircraft was too low, the instructor attempted to apply power for a go-around. However, before power could be applied, the propeller tips struck the runway surface. The aircraft touched down with the landing gear in the retracted position, resulting in damage to the propellers, engines, and the underside of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation established that the landing gear had not been extended prior to touchdown. The instructor admitted that while aware the landing checks were incomplete, they chose to focus on teaching the 'point and pitch' technique. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's landing gear audio warning system, which triggers when manifold air pressure falls below 14 inches while the gear is up, did not alert the crew during the approach.
Findings
- The aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted.
- The instructor made a conscious decision to continue the approach and focus on instruction rather than completing the necessary landing checklists.
- The instructor's decision to prioritize instruction over completing landing checks led to the failure to extend the landing gear.