17 Jul 2008: Beech 65-A80 — Western Air Express Inc

17 Jul 2008: Beech 65-A80 — Western Air Express Inc

No fatalities • Midland, TX, United States

Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear retraction/extension mechanism due to it being jammed by displaced sound proofing material.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot elected to return to the airport following the display of an unsafe landing gear light. Following a flyby and visual check by the airport's control tower, the pilot proceeded to land. During touchdown the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane's belly sustained structural damage. An examination of the landing gear revealed that the failure was due to sound proofing material being caught in the landing gear retraction/extension mechanism.

Contributing factors

  • cause Damaged/degraded

Conditions

Weather
VMC, vis 50sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 29 Dec 2020 — BEECH 65-A80-8800 (Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc.)

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