What happened
On January 30, 2007, a Beechcraft BE58/L, registration PT-ICU, departed from Arcoverde Aerodrome (SNAE) in Pernambuco, Brazil, for a local flight. The purpose of the mission was to perform aerial photography of the municipality. The flight was operated by Fretax Táxi Aéreo Ltda. and carried a pilot and one passenger.
After approximately five minutes of flight, the aircraft returned for landing. During the approach, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear, resulting in a gear-up landing. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but both occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by SERIPA II established that the flight was a short-duration mission intended to allow the passenger, an aircraft mechanic and friend of the pilot, to photograph the area. The investigation focused on the pilot's cockpit management, the aircraft's maintenance status, and the functionality of the landing gear warning system.
Investigators found that the pilot's relaxed attitude, influenced by the presence of a friend and the simplicity of the flight, led to a lack of situational awareness and a failure to follow standard operating procedures. Specifically, the pilot did not perform the required landing checklist, which included verifying the landing gear selector and the gear warning horn.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the landing gear warning system had been improperly adjusted by a maintenance facility. At the pilot's request, the system was adjusted so that the alarm would only sound when the throttles were significantly reduced. This adjustment, which deviated from the manufacturer's maintenance manual, prevented the pilot from being alerted to the retracted gear status. Additionally, the spring tension on the left landing gear lock hook was found to be below the manufacturer's specifications.
Findings
- The pilot failed to extend the landing gear due to an oversight.
- The pilot did not utilize the aircraft checklist, specifically omitting items related to the landing gear and flaps.
- An improper adjustment of the landing gear warning system prevented the alarm from notifying the pilot of the gear's position.
- The maintenance of the aircraft was inadequate, as the warning system adjustment was not in accordance with the manufacturer's manual.
- A relaxed cockpit atmosphere and diminished situational awareness contributed to the error.