Flight History
The aircraft departed from Salzburg Airport (LOWS) at approximately 09:50 UTC for an instrument flight to Vienna. On board were two crew members and three passengers. The captain acted as pilot flying (PF), while the first officer was pilot monitoring (PM). The flight proceeded under good weather conditions via waypoints NEMAL, LIMRA, GAMLI, BARUG, and BALAD. Upon nearing Vienna-Schwechat Airport, the PM listened to the ATIS information "M" and noted runway 34 was active for landings.
Landing Gear Issue
During preparation for the instrument approach to runway 34, the crew extended the flaps to 15° and were cleared for the approach. Shortly after switching to tower frequency (123.8 MHz), the PF commanded the PM to lower the landing gear. The PM selected the gear lever down and confirmed "Gear Down." The green indicators for the nose gear and right main gear illuminated, but the left main gear indicator did not. Uncertain whether the left gear had failed to extend or the indicator was faulty, the PF proposed a visual check from his seat. The PM suggested performing the LDG GEAR test using the rotary test switch. When the PF conducted the test, all three green lights and the red "Gear Unlock" light illuminated, accompanied by a warning tone. The crew thus believed the left gear indicator was false and continued landing preparations, even though the left main gear green light did not remain on after the test.
Landing and Aftermath
As the aircraft touched down on runway 34, with speed brakes and reverse thrust activated, the left wing dropped. The left main landing gear had not extended and remained retracted. The PF retracted the left reverse thrust and attempted to control the aircraft using aileron and right-engine reverse thrust, but the left wingtip contacted the runway surface. The aircraft veered left, exited the runway, and slid onto the grassy area between taxiways B5, B6, and runway 34 and taxiway D. It then rotated approximately 180° counterclockwise and came to a stop. Despite high structural loads, the aircraft remained intact.
The PM reported the landing accident to the tower, while the PF shut down both engines: the left engine via the normal cut-off, the right via the fire switch. After confirming emergency services were en route, the crew switched off the battery and evacuated through the cabin door. All five occupants left the aircraft uninjured. Airport rescue services arrived shortly thereafter and transported passengers to the General Aviation Center.
Investigation
The Austrian Safety Investigation Board (SUB) initiated an investigation in accordance with EU Regulation 996/2010. The examination focused on the left main landing gear's cable harness, sensors, and landing gear control valve. The left main landing gear had not extended due to a malfunction in the landing gear control system. The crew's decision to proceed with landing after the gear indication test was noted.