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NTSB Report

September 2, 2018 · Piper PA44 180 · N2204X

Centralia, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Centralia, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA44 180 (1979)
Tail Number
N2204X
Operator
Airgo
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA531

The flight instructor in the twin-engine airplane reported that, during the second simulated single-engine failure approach, the pilot under instruction reduced the left engine power setting to 12 inches of manifold pressure, which activated the landing gear auditory warning horn. On downwind, the student performed the prelanding checks and asked the instructor if he should deploy the landing gear. The instructor told the student to delay the action and deploy the landing gear during the final landing checks because the student was struggling to maintain altitude. Shortly after turning to final, the student performed the final landing checks and provided verbal cues of completion but did not include the landing gear check. The instructor stated that he was distracted and focused on corrections because the student was struggling to maintain altitude and the runway centerline during the final approach. The instructor did not verify that the gear was extended. During the landing flare, the instructor realized that the landing gear was not extended, and he immediately took the controls. He leveled the airplane and landed on the runway with the gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engines. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot receiving instruction's failure to extend the landing gear and the flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear was extended before landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and distraction.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor in the twin-engine airplane reported that, during the second simulated single engine failure approach, the pilot under instruction reduced the left engine power setting to 12 inches of manifold pressure, which activated the landing gear auditory warning horn. On downwind, the student performed his prelanding checks and asked the instructor if he should deploy the landing gear. Since the student was struggling to maintain altitude, the student was instructed to delay the action, and deploy the landing gear during the final landing checks. Shortly after turning final, the student performed the final landing checks and provided verbal cues of completion but did not include the landing gear check. The instructor added that he was distracted and focused on corrections because the student was struggling to maintain altitude and the runway centerline during the final approach. The instructor did not verify the gear was extended. During the landing flare, the instructor realized the landing gear was not extended and he immediately took controls. He leveled the airplane and landed on the runway 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CDT
Nearest AirportCentralia Muni (0nm SSE)
Runway18
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA44 180
Tail NumberN2204X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAirgo
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O 360-E1A60 · Reciprocating · 180 | Lycoming · LO 360 E1A6D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time19:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data