AAIB investigation to Piper PA-24-180 Comanche, N5839P

Undercarriage collapsed on roll out from landing, Compton Abbas Airfield, Dorset, 13 September 2020

Summary:

N5839P was being positioned via an overhead join for an approach to land on Runway 26. When the landing gear was selected down there was a sudden smell of burning. The pilot, believing there was a fire or an imminent risk of fire, immediately made an emergency call to ATC and positioned the aircraft for a shortened approach. The aircraft touched down normally and rolled on its landing gear for around 80 m before it collapsed and the aircraft slid along on its belly. Once the aircraft came to a halt, the occupants vacated the aircraft with the fire service in attendance. Initial enquires suggested the landing gear failed to lock down due to a burnt-out electrical gear motor.

When the burning smell became apparent to the pilot, he made sure that he was positioned to land as soon as possible, informed ATC of his emergency and asked for the fire truck to attend. Having completed the landing, both he and his passenger evacuated the aircraft as quickly as they could. The aircraft landed safely and neither occupant was injured. The aircraft suffered damage to the propeller, engine, exhaust and underside.

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Piper PA-24-180 Comanche, N5839P 01-21

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Updates to this page

Published 14 January 2021