Landing gear failure leads to excursion of Piper PA 34-200 at Os…

Landing gear failure leads to excursion of Piper PA 34-200 at Ostrava/Mošnov

Casualties unknown • LKMT, CZ

A Piper PA 34-200 experienced a partial landing gear collapse during landing, resulting in the aircraft veering off the runway and sustaining significant damage.

What happened

On January 28, 2017, a PIPER PA 34-200, registration OK-LFC, was performing a navigational flight at Ostrava/Mošnov Airport. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and five passengers. During the approach for landing on runway 22, the pilot noticed a red warning light indicating that the landing gear was not properly locked in the extended position. The pilot attempted to cycle the landing gear lever between the 'UP' and 'DOWN' positions at least three times, but the warning light persisted.

After requesting a visual inspection from the tower, the pilot was informed that the gear appeared to be extended. The pilot proceeded to land using high flap settings and minimum speed. Upon landing, the right main landing gear spontaneously retracted under the load of the aircraft. This caused the aircraft to veer to the right and exit the runway. As the aircraft moved onto the grass, the nose gear collapsed and the left main landing gear was torn from its mounting. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 5 meters beyond the runway edge. All six occupants were evacuated without injury, though approximately 150 liters of fuel leaked from the tanks. \n## The investigation

The ÚZPLN investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, maintenance records, and the pilot's actions. Technical inspections of the aircraft after the accident revealed that the right and nose landing gears were functional and could be properly locked when the aircraft was placed on jacks. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's use of the emergency gear extension system, noting that the emergency knob remained unused and was still secured with a wire seal.

Findings

The pilot failed to follow all procedures for landing gear extension and locking as specified in the Airplane Flight Manual.
The pilot misjudged the situation, incorrectly assuming the warning light was a recurring electrical fault rather than a mechanical failure.
The pilot did not perform a fuel burn-off to reduce landing weight and fire risk, as they did not anticipate a gear-related accident.
The failure to execute all required landing gear extension procedures was the primary cause of the accident.
The incorrect assessment of the gear warning light served as a contributing factor.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to complete all prescribed procedures for ensuring the landing gear was properly extended and locked. This was compounded by the pilot's misinterpretation of the gear warning light as a known electrical malfunction rather than a physical gear instability.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-01-28 PIPER PA 34-200 accident near LKMT, CZ?

A Piper PA 34-200 experienced a partial landing gear collapse during landing, resulting in the aircraft veering off the runway and sustaining significant damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-01-28 involved a PIPER PA 34-200, registration OK-LFC, at LKMT, CZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to complete all prescribed procedures for ensuring the landing gear was properly extended and locked. This was compounded by the pilot's misinterpretation of the gear warning light as a known electrical malfunction rather than a physical gear instability.

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