History of Flight
On Wednesday, 9 February 2022, a pilot operating a Beechcraft Baron 58, registration ZS-MRL, planned a flight from Saldanha Aerodrome (FASD) to George Aerodrome (FAGG), both in the Western Cape province. The flight was to be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day and in accordance with Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended.
After take-off from Runway 20 at FASD, the pilot moved the gear lever to the retracted position but did not obtain the gear-up lock indication on the cockpit panel. He then diverted to Langebaanweg Military Airforce Base (FALW) and requested air traffic control (ATC) to confirm whether the landing gear was down by flying past the control tower at low level. ATC advised that the landing gear appeared to be down. Following this confirmation, the pilot opted to return to FASD.
Before landing, the pilot engaged the emergency gear extension crank to ensure the landing gear was down and locked, but still could not obtain the three green indication lights in the cockpit. He proceeded to land on Runway 20. Shortly after touchdown, the landing gear collapsed. The aircraft skidded on its underbelly along the runway surface before coming to rest on the grass on the left side of the runway edge.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot was not injured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
Post-accident examination of the landing gear system revealed that the gear motor had burned out, causing the gear circuit breaker to trip.
Probable Cause
The landing gear collapsed during the landing roll because it was not in the down and locked position due to the gear motor that burned out.