Incident Summary
On April 21, 2006, at approximately 0423 UTC, the pilot of an aircraft reported that both hydraulic pressure lights illuminated on the annunciator panel about 20 miles from Freeport. The pilot extended the landing gear but observed only the right gear safe light. With assistance from a passenger, the pilot consulted the aircraft pilot operating handbook and followed emergency gear extension procedures.
Sequence of Events
The pilot attempted to land on the right main gear, hoping the impact would release the left main and nose gear. After this maneuver proved unsuccessful, the pilot initiated a go-around. Before the aircraft could become airborne, the left propeller contacted the ground. The aircraft touched down approximately 9,000 feet from the threshold of runway 06, which has a total length of 11,000 feet. It traveled about 1,500 feet on its right main wheel before veering off the left shoulder of the runway, striking several trees, and coming to rest pointing in a northwesterly direction. The final position was measured 180 feet from the side of the runway. The left wing burst into flames, and the left wing and left side of the fuselage sustained substantial fire damage. The four occupants escaped with only minor injuries.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable causes of the accident to be: substandard maintenance (improper flange on hydraulic line leading to fluid depletion); failure of the backup emergency blow-down bottle system (excessive play in cable connecting the T-handle to the activation pin); the pilot's lack of qualification and unfamiliarity with the aircraft, its systems, and emergency procedures; the pilot's poor decision making and impaired judgment (possible fatigue); the pilot's failure to assess the severity of the situation; failure to notify ATC of the problem; failure to properly assess landing conditions and maintain situational awareness after landing (flaps were not extended); failure to take immediate action once the predicament was realized; and failure to request emergency services assistance, which could have limited the fire.