CEN21LA065

During a night instructional flight, the pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor noticed the battery warning light illuminate. The ammeter showed that the battery was not charging and indicated 24 volts. They checked the circuit breakers, the alternator switch, and the master switch; all appeared normal and/or in the ON position. They elected to return to the departure airport. Before landing, the pilot receiving instruction lowered the landing gear handle and advised that the landing gear was down; all the lights flickered, and the instrument panel went dark. During landing, the flight instructor noticed that the propeller had stopped and heard the sound of grinding, then realized that the landing gear was retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the alternator drive belt had failed and was found loose in the engine compartment.

On November 19, 2020, about 1820 mountain standard time, a Piper PA32R airplane, N4187H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Canon City, Colorado. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot receiving instruction, he asked the flight instructor to conduct night takeoffs and landings so that he could meet night currency requirements. A before-takeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies. Shortly after takeoff, the battery warning light illuminated. They checked the circuit breakers, the alternator switch, and the master switch; all appeared normal and/or in the “ON” position. The voltage continued to decrease, and they agreed to return to the airport. While on final approach for landing, the instructor asked the pilot to lower the landing gear. The pilot advised the landing gear was down; then all the light flickered, and the instrument panel went dark. When the airplane touched down on the runway, the instructor stated that he noticed the propeller had stopped and heard a grinding sound. He immediately realized they had landed gear-up. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed that the alternator drive belt had failed, and it was found lying in the engine compartment. The alternator drive belt was inspected and replaced on July 12, 2019, and most recently inspected during the annual inspection on May 6, 2020.