Accident Overview
On July 26, 2018, at approximately 0950 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 560, registration N2705B, was substantially damaged during a landing accident at Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) in Crestview, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a ferry flight.
Flight History
The aircraft had recently been purchased and was being relocated for additional maintenance. A Special Flight Permit (ferry permit) was granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a flight from Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona, to Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Gainesville, Florida.
On July 24, the pilot departed SDL but experienced right engine anomalies shortly after departure and returned to the airport. While approaching for landing, the right main landing gear light did not illuminate to indicate it was down and locked. After troubleshooting and visually confirming the gear was extended, the pilot landed uneventfully, although the gear warning horn sounded during the landing flare. Post-landing, a mechanic resolved the engine issue. The right main gear light anomaly was attributed to the dimmer being closed. The mechanic reported that the pilot did not mention the landing gear warning horn.
The following day, the pilot departed SDL, made one intermediate fuel stop, and flew to Orange County Airport (ORG), Orange, Texas, with no anomalies. After spending the night, the pilot departed the next morning. Following an uneventful flight from ORG, while landing at CEW to refuel, the nose landing gear settled onto the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right side of the fuselage impacted the pavement, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway.
Aircraft Information
The Aero Commander 560 was manufactured in 1955 and was equipped with two Lycoming GO-480-B, 270-horsepower engines driving Hartzell, three-blade, constant-speed propellers. As of the ferry permit inspection on July 17, 2018, the airframe had accumulated about 6,727 hours total time, and both engines had accumulated 1,255 hours total time since overhaul.
Maintenance records documented the replacement of three main landing gear bungies on July 13, 2018, and an FAA inspector who performed the pre-ferry flight inspection confirmed and documented their replacement. Before the accident flight, the airplane had not flown in about 7 years.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination revealed that the bottom right side of the fuselage, several feet aft of the nose landing gear, was torn open, and several ribs and stringers were damaged. The right engine pylon also suffered damage. The FAA inspector who responded to the accident site reported that the right landing gear bungies were missing. It could not be determined if they were removed during recovery and stabilization of the landing gear down-lock system, as the airplane was recovered from the accident site before his examination.