What happened
A training flight consisting of one instructor and three student pilots departed from Shearwater Airport for a local mission. During the flight, the crew attempted a landing without the use of flaps. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft arriving at a high altitude, prompting the pilot-in-command to nose the aircraft down to adjust the descent. This action led to a heavy impact with the runway, causing the aircraft to bounce.
Following the hard landing, the crew began a go-around procedure. During this time, air traffic control notified the crew that the right main landing gear appeared to be damaged. The crew entered a holding pattern as instructed. Approximately 40 minutes into the flight, the right main gear separated from the aircraft. This was followed by a loss of power in the right engine and the onset of a fire within the right wheel well.
After declaring an emergency, the crew was cleared to return to Shearwater Airport. Upon touchdown, the aircraft settled onto its right side and rolled several dozen meters before coming to a stop. The aircraft then caught fire. All four occupants managed to evacuate the aircraft uninjured before an explosion occurred in the central fuel tank.
Findings
- The sequence of events began with a hard landing during a flapless approach.
- Structural failure of the right main landing gear occurred during the subsequent holding pattern.
- The loss of the landing gear led to engine power loss and an intense fire in the wheel well area.