2024-10 · NASA ASRS report 2175170
PA24 Flight Instructor and Student reported landing gear failure as the aircraft touched down on landing.
In VMC with unlimited visibility; I was acting as an instructor to provide aircraft type training to a properly certified pilot in a Piper Comanche PA-24. The aircraft had recently undergone an annual inspection; with all ADs complied with. While remaining in the traffic pattern; the pilot completed two successful landings. On the third landing; the aircraft landed with the gear retracted.The pilot was using a checklist; and I observed the completion of a pre-landing procedural flow: selecting the gear down switch; adding one notch of flaps; and reducing power for descent when abeam the numbers on the downwind leg. The gear switch appeared to be in the down position. On the base leg; the pilot further reduced power and added an additional notch of flaps. On final; the pilot attempted to add a final notch of flaps but expressed uncertainty about the flap Johnson bar's position. I physically checked the Johnson bar; and looked out the right cockpit window to visually verify the flaps to be fully extended.While dividing attention between the flap condition and the final approach; I observed the pilot maintaining a stabilized approach and properly moderating power for speed. On short final; just over the approach end of runway XX; the pilot reduced power to idle and continued in the descent to the touchdown zone; initiating a landing flare midway across the touchdown stripes. As the aircraft settled; the propeller blades contacted the pavement; and the plane came to a stop within a short distance along the runway centerline. The gear warning horn did not activate at any time prior to landing.There were no injuries; no runway damage; and the plane suffered only minor damage to the propeller and fuselage belly skin aft of the firewall; with no significant deformities.
Was under instruction on second flight of new to me Comanche that just came out of extensive annual with all ADs signed off. I have a CPL with Instrument rating; with a HP endorsement and complex endorsement with 144 hours. I was doing training in a new aircraft and to work on complex flow as it had been a few years since I had flown complex. It was a clear day with infinite visibility and ceilings. Had done two previous landings without incident. Was on third pattern and leveled off on downwind and came abeam the numbers and using checklists began my flow. Gear switch; power; flaps to first notch. I turned base; was cleared to land by ATC; and then turned final. On final; I have a johnson bar for flaps and there was uncertainty in the flap position which caused a distraction; took a lot of focus. Instructor looked and verified flap position. Approach was stabilized and so I continued to short final. On short final; I went full power off and began to flare; the gear warning horn did not go off. The next thing I know the aircraft belly was sliding along the runway with the propeller contacting the ground.No injuries occurred as a result and the plane only suffered minor damage. No other property was damaged as a result of this occurrence.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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