No fatalities

6 Jun 2009: CESSNA 404 — KEY LIME AIR CORPORATION — Englewood, CO

Englewood, CO, United States

On 6 Jun 2009, a CESSNA 404 operated by KEY LIME AIR CORPORATION was involved in an aviation accident near Englewood, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A hydraulic line failed downstream of the left and right hydraulic pumps and the emergency landing gear extension air bottle, making gear extension impossible. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot diverted after hydraulic failure lights illuminated; unable to extend landing gear normally or via emergency system, resulting in a wheels-up landing that substantially damaged the keel.

Incident Overview

While en route, the pilot of the airplane observed illumination of both left and right hydraulic system failure indicator lights. In response, the pilot diverted to an alternate airport.

Landing Gear Attempts

Upon arrival, the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear using the normal system, but the gear did not deploy. The pilot then attempted the emergency landing gear extension system; however, the gear still failed to extend.

Landing and Damage

With no means to lower the landing gear, the pilot executed a wheels-up landing at the alternate airport. During the landing, the airplane's keel sustained substantial damage.

Post-Incident Examination

An examination of the airplane revealed that a hydraulic line had failed downstream of both the left and right hydraulic pumps, as well as downstream of the emergency landing gear extension air bottle. This failure rendered gear extension impossible.

Probable cause

A hydraulic line failed downstream of the left and right hydraulic pumps and the emergency landing gear extension air bottle, making gear extension impossible.

Contributing factors

Hydraulic, main system — Failure