Landing Gear Collapse During Approach Leads to Substantial Damage to Beechcraft Baron

Casualties unknown • Runway 22 at Nelspruit Airport, Mpumalanga, ZA

A private flight to Nelspruit Airport ended in a runway excursion after the landing gear failed to fully lock during touchdown.

What happened

On 16 February 2024, a Beach Baron 58, registration ZS-MBT, was conducting a private flight from Hoedspruit Civil Aerodrome to Nelspruit Airport in Mpumalanga. The flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions in clear weather.

During the landing roll on Runway 2/22, the aircraft's nose gear collapsed approximately 150 meters from the threshold. As the aircraft's weight settled, the left and right main gears also failed, causing both propellers to strike the runway surface. The aircraft veered left and slid on its belly for about five meters before coming to a stop on the grass. While the pilot was uninjured, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose section, propellers, and belly.

The investigation

SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical state and maintenance history. Records indicated the aircraft had been maintained according to manufacturer standards, with a recent periodic inspection completed only 2.5 hours prior to the accident.

Technical analysis of the landing gear system revealed that the central actuator/gearbox had not completed its full 180-degree rotation. Specifically, the actuator arm was approximately 15 degrees short of the full extension required for a secure lock. Although the pilot reported seeing green lights on the instrument panel, investigators noted that these indications can appear a second before the cycle is fully complete. Post-accident inspections by a maintenance organization confirmed that the gearbox/motor stopped prematurely, leaving the gear in a transitioning state rather than a fully locked position.

Findings

  • The aircraft was on final approach with the landing gear retracted.
  • It is believed that an audio warning prompted the pilot to extend the gear late in the approach.
  • The landing gears were extended late during final approach, causing the aircraft to touch down while the gear was still transitioning and not yet locked.
  • The pilot did not execute a go-around after realizing the aircraft was not properly configured for landing.
  • Weather conditions were excellent and did not contribute to the event.

Probable cause

The primary cause was the late extension of the landing gear during the final approach, which resulted in the gear collapsing upon touchdown because the mechanism had not finished its transition to the locked position. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision not to perform a go-around once the configuration error was identified.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-02-16 Textron Aviation; Beach Baron 58 accident near Runway 22 at Nelspruit Airport, Mpumalanga, ZA?

A private flight to Nelspruit Airport ended in a runway excursion after the landing gear failed to fully lock during touchdown.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-02-16 involved a Textron Aviation; Beach Baron 58, registration ZS-MBT, at Runway 22 at Nelspruit Airport, Mpumalanga, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause was the late extension of the landing gear during the final approach, which resulted in the gear collapsing upon touchdown because the mechanism had not finished its transition to the locked position. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision not to perform a go-around once the configuration…

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