What happened
On August 1, 2023, a Beech Aircraft Corporation E55, registration LV-KFP, was performing a general aviation ferry flight from Alta Gracia to Coronel Olmedo in the Córdoba province of Argentina. During the takeoff phase, the pilot reported hearing a loud impact, followed by the nose gear position indicator light turning off.
Upon reaching altitude, the pilot observed through the engine nacelle mirror that the nose gear was not in its secure position. The pilot attempted to extend the gear using gravity-based maneuvers and manual intervention, but the gear failed to lock. During the subsequent landing, the nose of the aircraft made contact with the runway surface during the final braking phase. The incident resulted in minor damage to the fuselage skin and the destruction of the pitot tube.
The investigation
The investigation by the JST examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the operational circumstances. The aircraft had recently been granted a special flight permit by the ANAC due to prolonged inactivity, with specific limitations requiring the landing gear to remain in the "down and locked" position.
Upon inspection of the landing gear system at the maintenance facility, investigators discovered that a uniball (spherical joint) on one of the nose gear actuation bars had fractured. The investigation also noted that the flight plan had not been filed with the relevant aeronautical information services (ARO/AIS) for this specific flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the gear failure was the fracture of the spherical joint on the nose gear actuation bar.
- This fracture allowed the nose gear assembly to move freely, preventing it from locking into the extended position.
- The investigation determined that a mechanical blockage occurred during the retraction process, which forced the linkage to continue moving in a direction that led to the structural failure of the uniball.
- The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) in clear meteorological conditions.
Safety action
- The investigation identified that the flight was not communicated to the ARO/AIS office, which represents a potential risk to operational safety.
- The JST emphasizes the necessity for aircraft owners and operators to strictly adhere to all operational limitations established by aviation authorities to maintain safety standards.