What happened
On April 21, 2006, at roughly 0423UTC, an aircraft was operating approximately 20 miles from Freeport when the pilot observed both hydraulic pressure lights illuminating on the annunciator panel. Upon extending the landing gear, the pilot noted that only the right gear indicator showed a safe status. To manage the emergency, the pilot utilized the aircraft pilot operating handbook with the help of a passenger to execute the required emergency gear extension procedures.
In an attempt to force the left main and nose gear into position, the pilot performed a landing on the right main gear only. When this maneuver failed to deploy the remaining gear, the pilot attempted a go-around. During this transition, the left propeller struck the ground. The aircraft made contact with runway 06 approximately 9,000 feet from the threshold. After rolling for about 1,500 feet on the right main wheel, the aircraft veered off the left shoulder of the runway and collided with several trees. The aircraft eventually stopped 180 feet from the runway edge, facing northwest. The impact and subsequent movement caused the left wing to catch fire, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and the left side of the fuselage. All four occupants escaped the wreckage with only minor injuries.
Findings
- The incident was initiated by a loss of hydraulic pressure affecting the landing gear deployment.
- The pilot's attempt to use the right main gear to mechanically release the other gear was unsuccessful.