What happened
During a training flight conducted under visual flight rules, a pilot and a second in command were performing an instructional session in a retractable landing gear-equipped airplane. While approaching the airport, the crew followed instructions from the control tower to maintain a higher airspeed. As the pilot prepared for landing, the flaps were set to the full position and the throttle was reduced to flight idle.
Upon touchdown, the propellers made contact with the runway surface. The pilot elected not to initiate a go-around due to the uncertainty regarding the damage caused by the propeller strike. The aircraft subsequently slid along the runway before coming to a halt. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's stringers, longerons, and fuselage bulkheads.
Findings
Investigation into the wreckage revealed that while the nose landing gear could be extended through normal procedures, the main landing gear could not be deployed either hydraulically or manually. This was due to severe damage sustained by the main landing gear doors.
Both the pilot and the second in command reported that they did not hear the landing gear warning horn during the approach. It was noted that both occupants were using noise-cancelling headsets, and the warning horn's aural tone was not configured to be audible through such equipment. Furthermore, the pilot's view of the landing gear position lights was obstructed by the second in command's knee. Additionally, neither crew member could confirm if the pre-landing checklist had been completed prior to the approach.