What happened
On November 15, 2002, a PA-23-150, registration ZS-MDL, was involved in a landing incident at George International Airport (FAGG). The flight was being conducted as a flight test for a commercial pilot candidate, with a testing officer present to supervise the maneuver.
During the left-hand downwind leg for Runway 11, the testing officer intentionally shut down the left engine to demonstrate an asymmetric power approach to the student. The student was instructed to intercept the ILS localizer and follow the glide slope. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the student deployed the undercarriage. However, as the throttle was closed for landing, the gear-warning horn activated, indicating the gear was not properly extended. The testing officer intervened to take control of the aircraft, and the plane subsequently landed on its belly.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the sequence of pilot actions. Post-accident inspections of the undercarriage were performed by an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO). These tests confirmed that the landing gear retraction and extension system was functioning correctly, with normal hydraulic pressure and sufficient fluid levels present in the system.
Records indicated that the aircraft's last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) had been completed on July 24, 2002, after 5,104 flying hours. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had flown 96 hours since that inspection. The training organization involved held a valid accreditation at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained minimal damage to the underside of the fuselage, though the propeller blades were damaged.
- There were no injuries to the two occupants on board.
- The primary factor in the incident was that the pilot lowered the undercarriage too late, leading to the wheels-up landing.