No fatalities

2007-04-23: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (C-GVSG) — Selkirk Remote Sensing — Revelstoke, Canada

Revelstoke, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 23, 2007, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration C-GVSG) operated by Selkirk Remote Sensing was involved in an aviation accident near Revelstoke, Canada during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781198183Data APIEditorial standards

A photographer and pilot conducted a VFR aerial photo flight from Vancouver. During landing at Revelstoke, the gear failed to extend; a gear-up landing resulted in a grass fire that destroyed the aircraft.

Overview

A pilot and a photographer departed Vancouver at 0911 local time with 5.5 hours of fuel aboard a single-engine aircraft (type not specified) for a VFR aerial photographic flight over the Arrow Lakes area. At 1420, the aircraft entered the traffic circuit at Revelstoke Airport to refuel and allow the photographer to change camera film.

Landing Gear Issue

As the aircraft turned base leg, the pilot selected the landing gear down and heard the gear clunk into position. However, when the aircraft turned final, the red in-transit light illuminated and the nose gear was not visible in the mirror. The pilot cycled the gear lever up and down several times, but the gear did not extend.

Engine Surge and Emergency Landing

When the pilot advanced the throttles to conduct an overshoot (go-around), both engines surged and sputtered. The pilot then retarded the throttles and proceeded to conduct a gear-up landing in a grassy area off the end of runway 30.

Fire and Destruction

During the landing roll, the dry 8-inch-high grass caught fire. Both occupants escaped the aircraft, which was subsequently destroyed by the ground fire.

No injuries are mentioned in the report. The aircraft type and registration are not specified in the source material.