What happened
On August 18, 2021, a Cessna 402B, registration HK4933, was performing a VFR flight from Guaymaral to Flandes, Colombia, for the purpose of maintaining crew proficiency and verifying radio equipment. While approaching Santiago Vila Airport (SKGI), the crew decided to perform a full landing rather than a touch-and-go due to deteriorating weather conditions on their return route.
The aircraft performed an unstabilized, high, and fast approach. Upon touchdown on runway 02, the aircraft bounced, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around maneuver. During this attempt, the pilot applied power, raised the flaps, and retracted the landing gear. However, the pilot quickly reversed this decision, opting to continue the landing. In the process, the pilot lowered the landing gear lever while the gear was still in transition.
Because the gear had not yet locked down, the weight of the aircraft caused a forced and asymmetric retraction of the landing gear mechanism. This caused the aircraft to slide along the runway, resulting in the ventral abrasion of the fuselage and a loss of directional control. The aircraft eventually exited the runway on its right side, coming to rest in the safety area between taxiways A and B. The two occupants were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft successfully.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight history, aircraft maintenance records, and the sequence of crew actions. Investigators analyzed the landing gear mechanism, which showed damage from the incident but no prior malfunction. The investigation also reviewed the crew's decision-making process, specifically regarding the transition from a go-around attempt back to a landing attempt while the gear was in motion.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the asymmetric retraction of the landing gear caused by the crew's decision to retract and then immediately extend the gear during a failed go-around attempt.
- The aircraft was in an improper configuration for landing when the weight of the plane forced the gear to retract.
- The crew executed an unstabilized approach characterized by excessive speed and altitude.
- A lack of Crew Resource Management (CRM) prevented the crew from identifying the unstabilized approach and maintaining situational awareness.
- The pilot exhibited overconfidence in the approach and landing conditions.