What happened
On August 10, 2021, a private pilot was operating a Beechcraft 58 for a recreational flight, returning to the Eulogio Sánchez Aerodrome (SCTB) in Chile's Metropolitan Region. The flight had previously included maneuvers at the San Felipe Aerodrome.
During the landing phase on runway 19, the aircraft failed to stop within the available runway length. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the pilot executed a sudden, sharp right turn in an attempt to exit via Taxiway Delta. This high-stress maneuver caused the left main landing gear to partially retract and collapse. The aircraft subsequently slid off the paved surface, with the left wing, nose gear, and left main gear making contact with the ground. There were no fatalities or injuries among the pilot and two passengers, though the aircraft sustained significant damage.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, flight logs, and the physical wreckage. The investigation compared the pilot's account of the landing with air traffic control records and analyzed the aircraft's performance data.
Investigators reviewed the braking marks on the runway, which extended approximately 185 meters, indicating high energy and speed during the final portion of the landing roll. The team also inspected the landing gear components, finding that the retraction arm's connection bolt to the shock strut had suffered a ductile shear fracture due to extreme structural loading. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the pilot's recent flight experience and found that while the pilot held a valid license, they had not operated a multi-engine aircraft for more than 180 days prior to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause was the collapse of the left main landing gear resulting from excessive structural stress during an abrupt right turn intended to avoid an overrun.
- The pilot performed an unstabilized approach, making touchdown past the first third of the runway at a speed exceeding the limits specified in the aircraft's Flight Manual.
- The aircraft's high approach speed and late touchdown significantly reduced the remaining runway distance available for deceleration.
- The pilot had not maintained recent flight currency in multi-engine aircraft, having only flown single-engine aircraft for the previous six months.
- The investigation ruled out mechanical failures of the braking or steering systems, as well as ground irregularities, as contributing factors.