What happened
On February 11, 2022, a Cessna 501, registration LV-JUO, was performing a ferry flight from La Rioja to Morón Airport in Buenos Aires province. The flight was being conducted as a maintenance repositioning mission with the landing gear intentionally kept in the extended position following a previous technical issue.
During the landing roll at Morón Airport, approximately 40 meters before reaching taxiway Foxtrot, the right main landing gear suddenly retracted without command. This caused the aircraft to tilt toward the right, deviating 11 meters from the runway centerline and resulting in the right wing making contact with the runway surface. The crew successfully stopped the engines and evacuated the aircraft without injuries to the two crew members.
The investigation
The investigation by the JST focused on the mechanical state of the landing gear and the flight history of the aircraft. It was established that on the previous day, the crew had experienced difficulty securing the landing gear in the down position, requiring four extension/retraction cycles to achieve the three green lights. Following consultation with maintenance personnel, the decision was made to fly the current leg with the gear permanently extended.
Technical inspections of the aircraft on jacks using external hydraulic pressure showed that the landing gear components functioned within design parameters, with no visible fractures or blockages found. While the manufacturer noted that the actuator could fail either electrically or mechanically, the investigation could not definitively pinpoint the specific trigger for the retraction. As a precaution, the maintenance facility replaced the right main gear actuator to return the aircraft to service.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in a ferry configuration with the landing gear manually kept in the extended position.
- The three green cockpit indications for the landing gear remained illuminated throughout the approach and initial landing phase.
- The uncommanded retraction of the right main landing gear occurred during the landing roll.
- Post-accident inspections of the hydraulic system and gear components showed no functional anomalies or obstructions during bench testing.
- Damage to the right wing, including the flap, wingtip, and a communication antenna, was caused by contact with the runway surface.