Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 30, 2000, at 1640 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180T, N8303P, landed with the landing gear retracted at Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The certified flight instructor pilot and private certificated student pilot were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Aspen Flying Club, under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was operating the local area instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to information provided by the flight instructor, the flight had been airborne approximately 2 hours, and the student pilot was practicing an engine out approach. The flight instructor said he realized on final that the student had failed to extend the landing gear and the flight instructor initiated a go-around. The engines failed to respond and a landing gear retracted landing was made in the grass on the left side of runway 35L.

According to information provided by Centennial Airport Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) control tower personnel, the controller asked the pilot to "verify gear down" when the aircraft was on short final to land. The pilot replied that he was initiating a "go-around" and the aircraft settled on to the ground.

An FAA airworthiness inspector examined airframe and engines. The propellers and underside of the aircraft hull sustained damage. No evidence was found of engine failure or malfunction. In-flight planning and decision by the flight instructor by allowing the student to fly into a hazardous situation. Factors were the flight instructor delaying extending the landing gear and delaying a go-around.