Accident Details
On June 2, 2021, at 2000 mountain daylight time, a Beech 1900, registration N219VP, was substantially damaged during an accident near Denver, Colorado. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The airplane was operated by Alpine Air Express as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand cargo flight.
The pilot reported that while on final approach to Denver International Airport (DEN), he lowered the landing gear, placed the propeller controls forward, confirmed that the landing gear position indicator lights illuminated green, and completed the before landing checklist. He noted feeling the drag associated with gear extension but observed that the airplane was not decelerating as much as usual. He planned to land at the furthest point of the touchdown zone to clear the runway for following traffic. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he heard a transmission from the controller to check gear down, and believed another aircraft also advised him to verify gear down. He stated that he looked at the landing gear control handle and confirmed three green lights during touchdown. The landing felt smooth, but within seconds the propellers struck the ground.
Investigation
Airport surveillance video showed the airplane approaching runway 17R with the landing gear fully retracted. All gear remained retracted while over the runway and just prior to touchdown.
Postaccident examination of the airplane, conducted under Federal Aviation Administration supervision, revealed that the wing flaps were retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom fuselage lateral bulkheads and stringers. Examination of the landing gear and landing gear indicating/warning system found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.