On October 13, 1996, a Cessna 337G (registration N20EC) operated by Rodney K Flack was involved in an aviation accident near Fayetteville, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The unapproved maintenance modification of the landing gear electrical system by maintenance personnel that prevented the extension of the landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot discovered the landing gear would not extend while entering the traffic pattern. After flying to Fayetteville and performing overflights for the tower, the pilot shut down the front engine and landed with the rear engine running. Investigation revealed an unauthorized on/off switch installed under the instrument panel for the landing gear system.
Incident Details
During the approach for a full stop landing at the intended destination airport, the pilot moved the landing gear extension handle to the down position. The landing gear did not extend. The pilot then flew the aircraft to Fayetteville, where several passes were made over the airport so that control tower personnel could visually inspect the landing gear position.
Discovery and Landing
After approximately three hours of flight time, the pilot shut down the front engine and performed a landing with the rear engine still running. The aircraft was subsequently examined on the ground.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed the presence of an unauthorized on/off switch installed under the instrument panel for the landing gear system. According to the pilot, when the switch was in the on position, the landing gear would retract but would not extend. No documentation of this switch installation was found in the aircraft maintenance logs or the aircraft checklist. Neither the pilot nor the new owner of the airplane were aware that this switch had been installed.