Summary
On July 3, 2009, a Beechcraft 95-B55 (registration N-999LT) operated by a private owner conducted an emergency landing at Menorca Airport (Mahon) after a landing gear malfunction. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but neither occupant was injured.
Flight History
The pilot, aged 50, held a commercial pilot license with 705:33 total flight hours, including 301:36 hours on the Beechcraft 95-B55. He departed San Luis Aerodrome at 13:30 local time for a pleasure flight to Son Bonet Aerodrome. After takeoff, the landing gear retraction lever was raised, but an amber unsafe gear light remained illuminated. Attempts to extend the gear resulted in a green down-and-locked indication only for the nose and right main gear. The pilot diverted to Mahon Airport for assistance, where the tower confirmed the left main gear was not extended.
The aircraft then flew to San Luis Aerodrome, where mechanics attempted to resolve the issue. The gear was retracted and an emergency manual extension procedure was tried, but the left gear remained stuck. The aircraft circled for over an hour to burn fuel before declaring an emergency at 15:05. At 15:25, the pilot landed on runway 19R at Menorca Airport. During the rollout, the left wing dropped, contacted the asphalt, and the aircraft veered left, departing the runway and completing a 180° turn before stopping on the left side of the runway, 55 meters from the centerline.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing tip, left flap, left aileron, left propeller, and landing gear.
Investigation
Examination revealed the left main gear was jammed near the full-up position. The push-pull tube was deformed from compressive overload, and a component in the locking bellcrank was bent and displaced. The recovery spring for the locking bellcrank was degraded and unable to retract fully. The mechanism showed general dirt, corrosion, and solidified grease, indicating infrequent use and deficient maintenance.
Maintenance History
The aircraft had an airworthiness certificate issued by the FAA in July 2000. It had accumulated 902 total flight hours as of early July 2009. The maintenance program required periodic inspections every 50 and 100 hours or annually. A major annual inspection in 2000 at 838 hours included replacement of the push-pull tube, springs, and cable, and adjustment of the landing gear locking mechanism. The last annual inspection was performed on April 15, 2008. No evidence was found that required annual inspections were completed between 2001 and 2007, when the aircraft flew very little. The annual inspection due in April 2009 was not performed. The aircraft had only flown 49 hours in the previous 15 months, contributing to maintenance deficiencies as calendar-based tasks were neglected.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not state a probable cause.