Pilot Debrief

BEECH A36 near Johns Island, SC — 2012-07-09

Final reportERA12LA450
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Date
2012-07-09
Location
Johns Island, SC, USA
Airport
KJZI
Aircraft
BEECH A36
Registration
N6672B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to complete the manual emergency gear extension after a loss of electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to delegate the landing gear extension to a non-pilot-rated passenger.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was in cruise flight when it experienced symptoms of an electrical failure and the alternator "fail" light illuminated. A normal deployment of the landing gear was unsuccessful, so the pilot had the non-pilot-rated passenger review the manual gear extension procedure and then attempt to lower the gear. The pilot "confirmed" the landing gear handle would no longer rotate, but the electrical power loss precluded confirmation by the landing gear lights. The airplane completed a "no-bounce" landing and then settled to the runway on its belly, which resulted in substantial damage to airframe stringers and frames; the damage was consistent with the landing gear doors being closed during landing. According to a mechanic who supervised the recovery of the airplane from the runway, the airplane was resting on its belly with the landing gear retracted. He said the gear was "maybe 5 percent" deployed but remained retracted as the airplane was lifted with straps. Another mechanic entered the airplane, engaged the manual gear handle, and lowered the gear to the down and locked position. The battery master switch was turned on, and three green down-and-locked lights illuminated.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked electrical systems before attempting gear extension.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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