What happened
On November 20, 2024, at approximately 09:35 local time, a Cessna 404 departed from Presidente Carlos Ibagñez del Campo International Airport (SCCI) in Punta Arenas, Chile, bound for Capitán Fuentes Martínez Aerodrome (SCFM). Shortly after takeoff, the pilot observed smoke within the cabin, prompting an immediate decision to return to the departure airport.
During the return flight, the pilot noted that while the main landing gear lights indicated they were secured, the nose gear indicator remained unconfirmed. Simultaneously, a low hydraulic pressure alarm was triggered. In response to the pressure loss, the pilot attempted an emergency landing gear extension procedure. Despite these efforts, the nose gear failed to reach the locked down position. After confirming with Air Traffic Control that the nose gear remained unsecured, the pilot declared an emergency and proceeded to land. Upon touchdown on runway 30, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to rest on its forward structure.
There were no injuries among the eight occupants, which included the pilot and seven passengers.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft at a maintenance hangar, where the plane was supported by jacks. During inspections of the hydraulic system using a manual pump, investigators identified a leak in a hydraulic circuit component. The investigation focused on determining whether this specific leak was the direct cause of the nose gear's failure to extend and lock.
Damage to the Cessna 404 included wear to the forward fuselage and nose gear doors, as well as damage to both engines and both propellers due to the abrupt stop following the collapse. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await the repair or replacement of the faulty hydraulic component to perform further operational tests.