What happened
On April 21, 2023, at 13:10 UTC, a Beechcraft PMD, registered as LV-WPM, was performing a non-scheduled commercial flight transporting passengers from Antofagasta de la Sierra to General Güemes International Airport in Salta, Argentina. During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft touched down with its landing gear in the retracted position. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft, though the incident did not result in any fatalities or serious injuries to the two passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the landing at Salta. The aircraft was operating under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) at the time of the event. Investigators examined the sequence of the approach and the mechanical state of the landing gear system to determine why the gear was not extended prior to touchdown.