Belly landing during training flight at Girona-Costa Brava

No fatalities • Girona, Spain • Landing (descent or approach)

A training aircraft experienced a belly landing during an approach for a full stop at Girona-Costa Brava, resulting in a total loss of the airframe.

What happened

During a routine training session at Girona-Costa Brava, a flight crew consisting of an instructor and a student pilot was conducting local maneuvers. After successfully completing two landings and several touch-and-go operations, the crew began an approach intended to culminate in a full stop landing.

During this final approach, the aircraft made contact with the runway surface without the landing gear properly engaged. The resulting belly landing caused the aircraft to slide along the runway for several dozen meters before coming to a complete halt. There were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported, as both members of the crew were able to evacuate the wreckage safely. The impact caused significant structural damage, rendering the aircraft a total loss.

Findings

While the specific mechanical or procedural reasons for the gear-up landing were not detailed in the initial report, the event occurred during the transition from touch-and-go maneuvers to a stabilized full stop approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-04-24 Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV accident near Girona, Spain?

A training aircraft experienced a belly landing during an approach for a full stop at Girona-Costa Brava, resulting in a total loss of the airframe.

Were there any fatalities in the 2016-04-24 Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-04-24 involved a Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV, registration EC-GFK, operated by Flightline - Spain, at Girona, Spain.

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