Introduction
On 29 June 2022 at 1625Z, a flight instructor and a student pilot departed Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) in a Piper PA-34-220T Seneca III, registration ZS-MBY, for a type conversion training flight. The flight was conducted under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, in visual meteorological conditions by night. No flight plan was filed.
Flight Details
A briefing and pre-flight inspection were carried out with normal indications. The student pilot performed three circuits and touch-and-go landings successfully. During the fourth circuit, on downwind and base legs, the student called for gear down. The final approach was stable at 90 knots. As the aircraft crossed the runway 17 threshold at 50 to 100 feet above ground level, the student reduced power and began flaring. Instead of touching down on the main landing gear, a loud grinding noise emanated from the underbelly and sparks appeared on both sides of the fuselage. The aircraft slid approximately 90 meters before stopping in the middle of the runway. Both pilots reported that they did not hear the landing gear warning horn during the approach.
Post-Accident Actions
The pilots shut down the engines and evacuated unassisted. With air traffic control closed, the instructor made a blind radio call to alert other traffic and the aerodrome's rescue and firefighting personnel. The firefighting team arrived and sprayed foam as a precaution, though no fuel smell, smoke, or fire was present.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination revealed that the landing gear toggle switch was in the down position. Engineering tests showed no faults in the landing gear system or warning system; the gear functioned normally when cycled. The damage to the aircraft's underbelly and the absence of scrape marks on the landing gear doors indicated that the landing gear was fully retracted during landing. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the underbelly, both propellers, flaps, and both engines. Neither pilot was injured.
Personnel and Aircraft Status
The flight instructor held a valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence and Instructor Grade 2 rating, with a current medical certificate. The student pilot's Private Pilot Licence had expired on 30 March 2022; an application for renewal was submitted on 27 June 2022 and reissued on 30 June 2022. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and was maintained in compliance with regulations; it was airworthy at dispatch.