What happened
On December 8, 2018, a Beechcraft 95-B55, registration PR-BDD, was performing a private flight from Belo Horizonte to the Ponta do Sol Aerodrome in Capitólio, Minas Gerais. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
During the approach to the short runway, the pilot attempted to maintain a low speed to touch down early. However, the aircraft failed to decelerate as expected, causing the pilot to cross the threshold with excessive speed. The aircraft experienced significant floating during the flare. The pilot did not realize the landing gear was retracted until the propellers made contact with the runway surface. The aircraft touched down 300 meters beyond the threshold of runway 03 and slid for an additional 330 meters before coming to a stop. All four occupants escaped the incident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight circumstances, the pilot's performance, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and medically certified, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits. Post-incident testing of the landing gear retraction system and the gear-up warning horn showed that both were functioning normally.
Investigators noted that the pilot had been experiencing fatigue due to poor sleep in the weeks leading up to the accident. Furthermore, the investigation found that the crew was engaged in a highly relaxed atmosphere, with passengers and the pilot conversing freely through a hot mic system during the critical phases of flight. This environment, combined with the pilot's failure to execute the 'Before Landing' checklist, prevented the detection of the gear-up configuration.
Findings
- The pilot failed to properly execute or verify the 'Before Landing' checklist, which includes the command to extend the landing gear.
- Distraction and loss of situational awareness caused by a highly relaxed cabin atmosphere and frequent interpersonal communication during approach and landing.
- The pilot's failure to initiate a go-around despite the aircraft floating excessively and approaching the runway at an unstable speed.
- Potential degradation of perception and attention due to pilot fatigue and recent insomnia.
- The landing gear-up warning horn was functional, but the pilot did not perceive the alert.