Event Summary
On December 31, 1999, at about 1055 Atlantic standard time, a Beech 99A, registration N491BB, sustained substantial damage when its main landing gear collapsed during landing at St. Barthelemy Airport (TFFJ), French Antilles. The aircraft was operated by Bohlke International Airways as a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot, copilot, and seven passengers reported no injuries.
Flight Details
The flight originated from St. Croix, Virgin Islands (STX), approximately 55 minutes before the accident. The pilot reported departing STX at about 1000. En route, the crew completed the descent arrival checklist. Upon arrival at TFFJ, they had to perform a 360-degree turn due to other arriving traffic. They then turned an 8-mile final approach. At 1.5 miles from the runway, the flaps were lowered to the full down position, the propellers set to 2,000 rpm, and the airspeed was 95 knots. All three landing gear lights indicated the gear was down and locked.
Landing and Accident
On touchdown, the airplane yawed to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and aileron with no effect. Power was increased, but the yaw continued. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and ground looped, resulting in the separation of the right main landing gear. The aircraft came to a stop on its fuselage with the nose landing gear extended.
Post-Accident Inspection
On January 3, 2000, the crew returned to the accident site. The airplane was lifted with a forklift, at which point the left main landing gear was observed in the retracted position.
Witness Account
A commuter pilot who observed the landing on the day of the accident reported that he saw the left main landing gear moving forward and backward during the landing roll.