What happened
On June 25, 2013, a Beechcraft 58, registration PP-JGO, was conducting a local flight originating from Araçatuba, SP. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot decided to perform a touch-and-go maneuver at the Penápolis Aerodrome (SDPN) in Penápolis, SP.
During the execution of the maneuver at runway 33, the pilot advanced the throttles to initiate a go-around. While the engines were producing sufficient power for the maneuver, the flaps remained in the landing configuration. During this process, the pilot inadvertently commanded the retraction of the landing gear. Because the aircraft was still in contact with the ground, the landing gear retracted, causing the aircraft to drag along the runway for approximately 200 meters before veering off the left side of the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its propellers, engines, and landing gear. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of commands during the go-around procedure and the failure of the ground protection system. Investigators examined the configuration of the aircraft, noting that while the engines were at a relative power setting for a go-around, the flaps had not yet been retracted. This configuration generated enough lift to compress the aircraft's struts but not enough to maintain flight, facilitating the gear retraction while the wheels were still in contact with the runway. The investigation also confirmed that the landing gear ground protection system did not prevent the retraction.
Findings
- The pilot executed the landing gear retraction command while the aircraft was still on the ground.
- Improper application of flight controls during the transition from landing to go-around configuration.