What happened
The aircraft sustained significant damage when its main landing gear collapsed during the landing phase. Upon impact, the nose gear failed to extend, resulting in a nose-down attitude. The pilot reported that the final approach was both long and flat, which likely delayed proper configuration for touchdown. During the flare, the stall warning horn activated intermittently, indicating an aerodynamic stall condition or proximity to it.
The investigation
Post-acc examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical discrepancies regarding the extension and retraction mechanisms of the landing gear. Functional tests confirmed that the system operated within normal parameters when tested in isolation. This suggests the failure was not due to a pre-existing mechanical defect but rather operational timing.
Findings
The pilot admitted that he may have lowered the landing gear too late to ensure a safe touchdown. The combination of a long, flat approach and delayed gear deployment led to the main landing gear collapse. The stall warning activation during flare further indicated improper airspeed management relative to the aircraft's configuration.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that landing gear is extended well before reaching the final approach fix or established glide path. A long, flat approach increases the risk of late configuration changes and reduces margin for error during the critical flare and touchdown phases.