What happened
On February 25, 2024, a private pilot was conducting a flight from Villarrica Aerodrome (SCVI) to Pucón Aerodrome (SCPC) to pick up a passenger for a subsequent leg to Purranque. During the arrival phase, the pilot planned to use runway 28, following an aircraft engaged in parachuting operations that had just landed on the same strip.
As the Mooney M20J touched down on runway 28, the aircraft made contact with the pavement on its belly rather than its wheels. The impact occurred approximately 46 meters from the runway threshold. Despite the severity of the contact, the pilot escaped the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft at the Pucón Aerodrome hangar following its removal from the runway. The inspection of the Mooney M20J revealed extensive structural damage across several components, including the fuselage, wings, flaps, and propeller. Specifically, the propeller blades were found disconnected from the hub with worn tips, and the underside of the fuselage and VHF antenna showed significant wear from the impact.
Upon inspecting the cockpit, investigators discovered that the landing gear circuit breaker had been pulled, effectively disconnecting the electrical system for the gear mechanism. While functional tests of the landing gear deployment system showed that the gear could still extend and lock, the audible warning alarm failed to activate when the throttle was advanced.
Findings
- The aircraft landed with its landing gear in the retracted position.
- The landing gear circuit breaker had been disconnected, preventing the electrical operation of the gear system.
- The aircraft sustained structural damage to the fuselage, wings, and propeller due to the belly landing.
- The landing gear warning alarm was non-functional during post-accident testing.