Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA207

San Diego, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N4567T

PIPER PA34

Analysis

The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instruction performed a simulated single-engine approach. He wanted to be able to communicate more easily with the pilot, so he set the simulated failed engine to 15 inches of mercury manifold pressure since the landing gear warning horn will sound if the manifold pressure is set below 14 inches of mercury. He added that he did not verify the gear was down and locked with the three green extended lights illuminated. He reported that, just before landing, he heard the landing gear warning horn but attributed it to the stall warning horn. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he did not recall hearing any audible alarm. The airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both the wings. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The flight instructor reported, while the pilot receiving instruction performed a simulated single-engine approach, he wanted to be able to communicate more easily with the pilot, so he set the simulated failed engine to 15" of manifold pressure; the landing gear warning horn will sound if the manifold pressure is set below 14". He added that he did not verify the gear was down and locked with the three green extended lights illuminated. He reported that, just before landing, he heard the landing gear warning horn, but attributed it to the stall warning horn. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he did not recall hearing any audible alarm. The airplane landed with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engines. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the landing gear before landing, which resulted in landing with the landing gear retracted.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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