History of Flight
On July 26, 2010, at 0818 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402C (registration N26150) operated by Nantucket Shuttle experienced a gear-up landing at Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA) in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The airplane had departed Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) at about 0805 for a non-scheduled passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot and seven passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot's written statement, he was on final approach, slowing the airplane and increasing flap settings incrementally. He lowered the landing gear around the same time he deployed the first 15 degrees of flaps, but did not mention whether the landing gear lights illuminated. When the airplane was "over the numbers," he added the last 45 degrees of flaps. The airplane then encountered turbulence, bounced, and the gear warning horn sounded with throttles idle. The airplane then "hit, with no gear" and slid to a stop.
A passenger stated that the landing felt like the wheels were down and then collapsed, and the airplane slid down the runway without becoming airborne again. Another passenger described the landing as feeling like a float into a skid, with no jarring.
A witness reported observing the airplane just over the fence and commented to a friend that the pilot might need to lower the gear. The witness saw the airplane skid across the runway and later told an FAA inspector that the landing gear remained retracted throughout the approach and landing.
Personnel and Aircraft Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multi-engine land and commercial single-engine land ratings. His most recent first-class medical certificate was issued in July 2010. He reported 5,500 total flight hours, with 2,500 hours in the Cessna 402.
The airplane was manufactured in 1979 and had accrued 14,580 total aircraft hours. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on March 25, 2010, at 14,560 aircraft hours.
Meteorological Information
At 0756, weather at HYA was clear skies, visibility 10 miles, wind from 300 degrees at 6 knots, temperature 22°C, dewpoint 13°C, and altimeter setting 29.89 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination at the site by an FAA inspector revealed the landing gear fully retracted. The nose landing gear doors had only exterior surface scratches. The flap setting was estimated at 8 degrees, with the flap handle between the 15-degree and flaps-up position. The landing gear handle was in the down position. On July 27, 2010, the airplane was placed on jacks, and the landing gear was extended and retracted under FAA supervision with no deficiencies noted. The main landing gear showed no scratches, scrapes, or evidence of abnormal contact with the runway.
The inspector informed the pilot/operator that the damage was inconsistent with collapsed landing gear. The pilot then suggested he might have struck the landing gear handle with his knee during a bounce, retracting the gear before the second touchdown. The inspector indicated he would return to retrieve the landing gear switch for further examination, but the owner/operator removed the switch from the airplane while the inspector was absent, despite instructions not to touch the airplane without FAA supervision.
Tests and Research
The landing gear switch was examined at the NTSB Materials Laboratory on September 10, 2010. Examination of the detent mechanism revealed severe wear, with tool marks consistent with the switch being gripped by a tool and moved over the detent rather than lifted as designed. Tool marks were evident in areas normally covered by the switch handle, consistent with tool slippage during movement.