What happened
The flight was conducted as a local training exercise. As the pilot prepared to conclude the mission and initiate the landing sequence, an issue arose with the aircraft's landing gear system. Specifically, when the pilot attempted to lower the gear, the left main landing gear failed to extend fully into its locked position.
The investigation
Following the incident, a thorough examination of the landing and retraction mechanism was conducted to determine the root cause of the malfunction. The inspection focused on the mechanical components responsible for deploying and securing the gear.
Findings
The technical analysis revealed that a critical component within the landing gear assembly had failed. Specifically, the section gear located in the pivot assembly had sheared off. This mechanical failure prevented the left main gear from completing its extension cycle, leaving it unable to lock into place for a safe landing.