Factual Information
A Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registration N678BY, manufactured in 1979 and powered by two Lycoming TI0-540-J2BD piston engines, was involved in an accident on 2 April 2011 at 2145 UTC. The aircraft was being operated on a private flight with one pilot and five passengers. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot's Licence, was 56 years old, and had 5,000 total flying hours, including 1,500 hours on type. No injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained damage to the flaps, propellers, right wingtip, and landing gear doors.
History of the Flight
The flight departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Florida at 1800 hrs, destined for Providenciales Airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The pilot calculated fuel endurance at 4 hours and 30 minutes. The flight was uneventful until the aircraft was 5 nm from Providenciales on final approach to Runway 10. When the pilot selected the landing gear to the DOWN LOCKED position, no green DOWN LOCKED lights illuminated, and the red NOT LOCKED light remained on, indicating the gear failed to extend fully. The pilot made a low pass for a visual check by ATC, who confirmed partial extension. A holding pattern was entered for 15 minutes while the pilot attempted manual extension using the handle, which was also unsuccessful. ATC later instructed a missed approach and diversion to JAGS McCartney International Airport on Grand Turk, 66 nm away. Upon arrival, another low pass confirmed the gear remained partially extended. Weather was described as good with scattered clouds at 1,500 ft. The pilot briefed the passengers for a gear-up landing. Just before touchdown, the pilot turned the fuel selector valves to OFF and closed the throttles. The aircraft touched down on the left main landing gear leg, then settled onto the right wingtip. During the landing rollout, the left main gear retracted, causing the aircraft to slew right approximately 90° before coming to rest on the edge of Runway 11, halfway along the 6,362 ft runway. No fire or fuel spillage occurred, and the pilot and passengers exited via the main cabin door. Approximately 20 minutes of fuel remained after landing.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the flaps, propellers, right wingtip, and landing gear doors.
Cause
Post-accident inspection revealed that a hydraulic hose running to the actuator on the right main landing gear door had failed, allowing hydraulic fluid to leak from the system. The loss of hydraulic fluid also prevented the emergency hand-pumped landing gear extension system from functioning.