Accident Overview
On 14 October 2021, at approximately 0800 UTC, a Beech 58 aircraft (registration G-BTFT) landed with its landing gear retracted at Rochester Airport, Kent. The aircraft was on a private flight from Thruxton to Rochester. The pilot, aged 66, held a Commercial Pilot’s Licence and had 1,136 total flying hours, including 540 hours on type. The sole passenger was also uninjured.
Flight History
The pilot called ahead when about 10 miles from Rochester, requesting joining instructions. Seven minutes later, he reported difficulty seeing the airfield, then after another four minutes, he announced downwind. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft was observed turning onto finals. The pilot received wind information and was authorised to land on Runway 20. An airport staff witness described the landing as “smooth” but then noticed the aircraft had landed “wheels up” and was sliding to a stop. Emergency services responded, the aircraft was made safe, and both occupants vacated without injury.
Damage
All propeller blades on both engines were bent. The trailing edges of both flaps were distorted, and the underside of the fuselage was buckled.
Investigation Findings
The pilot reported he could not state exactly why the landing gear did not extend, as he believed he had selected it down with the flaps. The landing gear selector was found in the down position. All landing gear doors were closed and flush with surrounding structure before recovery. During recovery, the gear had to be extended manually as it did not respond to normal selection when power was applied. A later examination by a maintenance organisation found that structural distortion from the landing may have initially prevented the gear from lowering correctly; after release of the distortion, the gear operated and indicated correctly.
The AAIB noted that the pilot’s initial difficulty spotting the runway suggested possible distraction from establishing a proper circuit. The pilot stated he believed he selected the gear down, but he did not confirm the three green down-and-locked indicator lights. The movement of the selector is not dependent on mechanical movement of the gear. It is possible that checks were done in haste, as suggested by the late downwind call and rapid turn onto finals.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded that several contributory factors may have combined to cause the aircraft to land with its landing gear retracted. A transient landing gear technical fault that prevented extension if down was selected could not be ruled out.