Beechcraft 200 Landing Gear Incident at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport

Incident Overview and Location On May 6, 2022, at 12:30 local time, a Beechcraft 200 aircraft was involved in an aviation occurrence at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCEL) in the Pudahuel commune, Metropolitan Region. The aircraft was operating an air ambulance flight between Diego Aracena Airport (SCDA) and SCEL. The flight crew consisted of a pilot in command and a co-pilot, both holding valid commercial pilot licenses, accompanied by three passengers. No injuries were reported among the five occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage. ## Operational Sequence and Landing Gear Failure During the final approach to runway 17L at SCEL, the crew performed normal procedures and lowered the landing gear, at which point an abnormal noise was heard. The pilot in command reported to the SCEL Control Tower that the main landing gear legs were not secured in the down position. Attempts to cycle the gear and deploy the emergency extension were unsuccessful. The pilot requested a low pass over runway 17L, during which the gear appeared extended, but without positive indication of extension, the pilot declared an emergency and continued the approach. Upon landing on runway 17L, both main landing gear legs retracted, causing the aircraft to slide tilted backward, supported only by the nose gear, until it came to a stop. ## Aircraft Damage and Maintenance History The aircraft sustained damage to the lower fuselage, including wear and deformation of the skin, frames, and stringers between fuselage stations 278.50 and 347.75. Two rudder control cables had worn and cut strands, and the rudder control cable pulleys were worn. Antennas on the lower fuselage were also worn. The inner flaps on both wings had worn and deformed coverings. The right main landing gear leg had a fractured securing hook, a deformed securing hook bolt, and a deformed and worn securing mechanism pin. The left main landing gear leg had a deformed actuator rod and a fractured internal actuator support. The runway surface at 17L also showed wear. The aircraft, a 1981 Beechcraft 200 with serial number BB-810, had 13,606.7 hours of service. The last inspection was a Phase IV inspection on March 14, 2022, which included inspection of the main landing gear shock absorbers, electrical system components, mechanical actuators, lubrication, and functional retraction tests, with no discrepancies recorded. The aircraft was approved for return to service. On April 24, 2022, a discrepancy regarding right-side radio equipment not turning on was resolved, and the aircraft was approved for return to service. On May 3, 2022, a 100-hour inspection of the engines was completed, and certification requirements were applied to the altimeters, pitot-static system, and transponders. The pilot in command signed the pre-flight inspection prior to the final flight, with no observations recorded. ## Meteorological and Airport Information The meteorological report for SCEL at 12:00 local time on May 6, 2022, indicated wind from the southwest (210°) at approximately 6 km/h, visibility reduced to 3,000 meters due to mist, no significant clouds, a temperature of 14°C, and a sea-level pressure of 1,017 hPa. The aircraft was found stopped in the center of runway 17L, 1,280 meters from the runway threshold, at coordinates 33° 23' 14'' S and 70° 47' 09'' W. The aircraft had traveled in the first third of runway 17L. The aircraft did not have flight data or cockpit voice recorders installed, which was not required under applicable operational regulations (DAN 137 Aerial Work).