20210522004139I

On may 22, 2021, at approximately 1300 eastern daylight time, a 1980 Piper arrow, PA-28RT-201, with registration N8315B, sustained minor damage when the aircraft landed gear up. This incident occurred at the Perry-Houston county airport (kpxe) during an annual currency flight. There were two persons on board with no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was filed. This was a commercial flight being conducted under the provisions of title 14 code of federal regulations part 141.

On may 22, 2021, at approximately 1330 hours an FAA inspector from the atlanta flight standards district office (FSDO) was contacted by the regional operations center regarding this incident. At the discretion of the FAA inspector, personnel from the Perry-Houston county airport (kpxe) were instructed to move the aircraft off the runway to a secure location until a representative of the FAA could arrive and assess the damage. Witnesses at the scene provided pictures that showed the aircraft resting on its belly with all three gear doors partially open and the gear handle in the down position. Additionally, it was reported by a witness at the scene that the aircrafts 5 amp landing gear control & warning circuit protector breaker was popped. Kpxe maintenance personnel who assisted with the relocation of the aircraft reported that when the aircraft was lifted off the ground, all three landing gear wheels immediately extended and locked in place.

On may 23, 2021, an FAA representative from the atlanta FSDO arrived on scene to perform the initial assessment of the aircraft damage. A review of the aircraft damage revealed scraping on the underside belly of the aircraft, normally evident in a gear up landing. The ends of the propeller were severely bent outward, evident of an aircraft still under power when striking the runway. No other significant damage noted. There was no evidence of tire side wall scraping or gear door damage that you would normally see if the gear had folded up on touchdown as a result of the gear not being down and locked.

On may 24, 2021, an FAA representative from the atlanta FSDO met with both the PIC and SIC at the robins air force base aero club. Both pilots are flight instructors for the part 141 school. During the first interview with the PIC, who is also the chief pilot of the part 141 school, he reported that he was performing an annual currency flight for the SIC who is also a flight instructor with the school. On this particular flight they had just concluded with flight maneuvers and were practicing an instrument approach into the Perry airport. The landing gear handle was extended followed by the 5 amp breaker popping. The breaker would not reset and the decision to continue the approach and land was decided. The PIC stated that he believed the landing gear was down and locked based on the characteristics of the aircraft in flight. The aircraft continued with its landing until the scraping of the aircraft was felt. The aircraft slid to the left of the runway until it came to rest. Both pilots secured the aircraft and exited without injuries. Next, the SIC was interviewed and he stated that he was sitting in the left seat and in complete control of the aircraft during the entire flight in which he as being evaluated for his annual check ride. On this particular occasion, they were performing a slow flight landing configuration maneuver at 2500 feet as they were approaching the Perry airport. The gear and flaps were extended, and at that moment it was observed that the gear down and safe three green lights had not illuminated. These three green lights provide the pilot with a visual cue that all three gear are down and locked. Additionally, the gear light 5 amp circuit breaker was popped and would not reset. At this time the decision was made to cycle the gear handle back and forth multiple times to get the lights to illuminate and to reset the circuit breaker.