What happened
On May 28, 2022, at approximately 12:02 EDT, a Beech 58, registration N120PA, was involved in an accident near Perry, Georgia. The aircraft was being operated by Southern Sky Holdings LLC as a private Part 91 flight.
While performing a short cross-country flight, the pilot was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at the destination airport and extended the landing gear. Although the initial touchdown was normal, the main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The aircraft veered to the right and came to rest upright off the right side of the runway. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage, noting substantial damage to the lower fuselage. During a subsequent inspection in a hangar using jacks and external power, the inspector found that the landing gear doors were open, which was consistent with the gear being in transit during the impact.
While the impact damage prevented a full cycle of the landing gear, the inspector was able to partially operate the system, confirming electrical continuity and that both weight-on-wheels switches functioned correctly. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. A mechanic also noted that the flaps were in the retracted position; the pilot stated that the flaps had retracted uncommanded at the same time the landing gear retracted uncommanded.