PA-34-200T Turbo Seneca II
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1530; Flight Crew Type 450
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
I was asked to lease my Seneca II to a flight school for training ATP candidates. I learned the ATP curriculum insists on shutting down an engine in flight during the checkride. A senior flight instructor asked me if my Seneca was hard to restart in flight; because the one currently in use is difficult to restart. He made several comments to this effect.I have performed one airborne shut down and restart in this airplane with no difficulties; but that was nearly ten years ago during my commercial checkride. I decided it would be more prudent for me to attempt an air start; as opposed to allowing someone unfamiliar with the airplane to attempt it after such a long time. I used the checklist to shut down the left engine. Then; I used the checklist to attempt a restart. After three attempts; my radios flickered; suggesting an electrical problem. Also; on the third attempt; the starter would not turn the prop blades. I noted the prop blades did not unfeather during the attempts to restart.I contacted Tower and declared an emergency. On base I attempted to lower the gear; but the gear would not come down. I lowered the gear using the emergency gear extension procedure. Then; the electrical went out completely as I turned base to final. I turned the master switch off and landed the airplane uneventfully. I telephoned the Tower and thanked them. They advised they didn't need anything else from me since there had been no deviations.
Prior to leasing his PA34 to a flight school the owner attempted to test the inflight restart procedure to ensure its functionality. After shutting the left engine down the propeller failed to unfeather; the engine failed to restart and the electrical system failed; requiring the landing gear to be manually extended for the following safe landing.