On March 26, 1982, a Beech 65-88 (registration N20HR) operated by Basler Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kalamazo, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The drive shaft assembly, PN 50-810240, failed from fatigue. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Prior to landing, the pilot could not extend the right main landing gear. Attempts to recycle and manually extend the gear failed, resulting in a gear-up landing on a paved runway with minor damage to the fuselage underside and flaps. Investigation revealed fatigue failure of the drive shaft assembly.
Incident Overview
During approach, the pilot encountered a malfunction in the right main landing gear extension system. Unable to lower the gear through normal operation, the pilot attempted to recycle the landing gear system and subsequently used the manual extension procedure, neither of which succeeded in deploying the gear.
Landing and Damage
The aircraft was landed on a paved runway with the gear fully retracted. The gear-up landing resulted in minor damage to the underside of the fuselage and the flaps. No other damage was reported.
Investigation Findings
A post-incident investigation revealed that the drive shaft assembly, part number 50-810240, had failed due to fatigue. This failure prevented the right main landing gear from extending properly.
Probable cause
The drive shaft assembly, PN 50-810240, failed from fatigue.
What happened in the 26 Mar 1982 Beech 65-88 accident near Kalamazo, MI?
Prior to landing, the pilot could not extend the right main landing gear. Attempts to recycle and manually extend the gear failed, resulting in a gear-up landing on a paved runway with minor damage to the fuselage underside and flaps. Investigation revealed fatigue failure of the drive shaft assembly.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 26 Mar 1982 involved a Beech 65-88, registration N20HR, operated by Basler Airlines, at Kalamazo, MI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The drive shaft assembly, PN 50-810240, failed from fatigue.
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