What happened
On April 26, 2006, a Beech 60 Duke, registration D-INAZ, was conducting a private recreational flight from Grottaglie Airport to Brindisi. During the approach to Brindisi, the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear but noticed abnormal noises and observed that the green indicator light for the right gear failed to illuminate. Simultaneously, the circuit breaker for the gear actuator tripped. After a visual confirmation from air traffic control confirmed the right gear remained retracted, the pilot returned to Grottlaglie.
During the return flight, the pilot successfully reset the circuit breaker and extended the gear, which appeared locked. However, the circuit breaker tripped again. Upon approaching Grottaglie for a second landing attempt, the circuit breaker tripped even before the extension sequence could begin. The pilot attempted to use the manual emergency extension crank, but encountered significant resistance. Despite the manual effort, the right gear remained retracted, as confirmed by tower personnel.
After consuming the remaining fuel, the pilot declared an emergency and performed a landing on runway 17 with the engines shut down prior to touchdown. The aircraft landed on the nose and left main gear only. As the aircraft decelerated, the right wing dropped and scraped the runway for approximately 150 meters, striking runway lights and a distance marker sign. The impact caused damage to the right wing, propeller, and engine, as well as the destruction of the sign's supports. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on why the right landing gear failed to extend. Examination of the aircraft revealed significant damage to the right wing structure, including a torn fuel tank bladder and damage to the anti-ice system. The investigation of the landing gear mechanism found that the right gear was fully retracted with doors closed. Upon inspecting the internal components, the gear leg partially dropped under its own weight.
Investigators identified several mechanical failures: a broken and deformed microswitch support plate on the gearbox, a deformed connection terminal on the gear leg control rod, and a complete seizure of the "UP LOCK ROTR