Landing gear failure leads to excursion at Sligo Airport

Casualties unknown • IE

A Searey Amphibian aircraft veered off the runway during touch-and-go maneuvers after the pilot failed to secure the landing gear.

What happened

On the evening of 04 June 2006, a Searey Amphibian, registration EI-SEA, was conducting private flight training at Sligo Airport. The pilot was engaged in a series of touch-and-go circuits on Runway 29, having performed approximately 30 to 40 landings throughout the day. During one of the later maneuvers, following a successful touchdown, the pilot applied power to initiate a takeoff roll. During this process, the left main undercarriage wheel collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer left off the runway. The aircraft slid in an arc across the grass, coming to a stop roughly 250 meters from the runway threshold, facing east. Although the aircraft's crash alarm was triggered, the Airport Fire Service responded to a scene with no fire, and the pilot was able to exit the cockpit without assistance.

The investigation

The investigation, conducted by the AAIU, focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's actions during the circuit training. Investigators reviewed the flight history, noting that the pilot had experienced a minor runway excursion earlier in the day near taxiway Alpha. The investigation examined the physical state of the Searey Amphiliam's undercarriage and the pilot's cockpit procedures. The pilot provided information regarding the sequence of events, specifically addressing the operation of the landing gear lever during the repetitive landing cycles.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was that the pilot failed to fully lock the landing gear in the down position.
  • The pilot admitted to not pushing the lever home far enough to ensure it was locked and to hear the audible click of the mechanism.
  • The repetitive nature of the circuit training, involving numerous landings, likely led to a lapse in concentration.
  • The pilot noted that the physical effort of operating the undercarriage lever for each circuit, combined with enthusiasm for the new aircraft, contributed to the oversight.
  • There were no injuries to the crew and only minor damage to the aircraft, specifically to the left main undercarriage wheel.

Probable cause

The collapse of the left main undercarriage wheel was caused by the pilot's failure to properly secure the landing gear in the down position, a mistake likely resulting from a loss of concentration during repetitive circuit training.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the null aircraft accident near IE?

A Searey Amphibian aircraft veered off the runway during touch-and-go maneuvers after the pilot failed to secure the landing gear.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration EI-SEA, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collapse of the left main undercarriage wheel was caused by the pilot's failure to properly secure the landing gear in the down position, a mistake likely resulting from a loss of concentration during repetitive circuit training.

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