What happened
On February 24, 2000, a Beechcraft 65A-8, registration EC-GZC, was performing a ferry flight from Melilla to Málaga. Approximately 60 nautical miles from its destination, the crew observed a low voltage warning light. Upon checking the ammeters, they noted that while both generators were providing charge, the left generator was producing only half the intensity of the right generator. To conserve power, the crew deactivated all non-essential electrical equipment, leaving only one communication radio, one navigation instrument, and the transponder operational.
While approaching Málaga, the crew experienced difficulty establishing contact with the tower, necessitating a 360-degree turn. After receiving landing clearance for runway 14 with a right tailwind, the crew extended the landing gear. During this process, the aircraft suffered a total electrical failure, exhausting the remaining battery power. Due to turbulence near the mountains and the risk of engine failure, the crew decided to land immediately after verifying the runway was clear. Although the crew visually confirmed the gear was down, the gear failed to lock into position.
As the aircraft exited the runway via taxiway C-3, the landing gear collapsed. This caused both propellers and the tail to strike the pavement, resulting in substantial damage to the engines, propellers, and tail section. The aircraft remained immobilized on the taxiway for 33 minutes, temporarily suspending airport operations.
The investigation
The investigation focused on why the electrical system failed so completely and why the landing gear was not properly secured. Investigators determined that the electrical demand from the landing gear extension mechanism was enough to deplete the batteries, suggesting the batteries were already at a very low state of charge.
While the right generator should have been sufficient to maintain the batteries and power essential systems, the investigation found that both generators were likely inoperative. Since there was no mechanical failure reported for the right generator, it was concluded that the crew had inadvertently deactivated it while attempting to reduce electrical consumption.
Findings
- The primary cause of the gear collapse was that the landing gear did not lock into the down position because the electrical failure occurred before the extension cycle was complete.
- The crew's decision to deactivate the functioning right generator during power conservation efforts left the aircraft solely dependent on the depleted batteries.
- The crew failed to utilize the manual landing gear extension procedure, which would have ensured the gear was properly locked despite the electrical failure.
- The crew visually confirmed the gear was extended but failed to recognize that the incomplete electrical cycle meant the gear was not mechanically locked.