What happened
On 30 April 2024, a Piper PA-34-200T, registration ZS-MGW, was operating a private flight from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Wonderboom Airport. The flight, conducted under visual meteorological conditions, proceeded without incident until the pilot initiated touch-and-go maneuvers on Runway 11 at Wonderboom. During the climb following the first touch-and-go, the pilot discovered that the undercarriage had failed to retract.
In an attempt to rectify the issue, the pilot performed a circuit on the right side of the runway, but the gear remained in an unsafe position. After attempting various troubleshooting steps, including resetting circuit breakers and replacing a light bulb, the pilot opted for a precautionary landing. During the descent, the pilot utilized the emergency gear extension. However, upon touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to skid on its belly along the runway. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage to the propeller and underbelly.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical state and the pilot's execution of emergency protocols. A post-accident inspection by a maintenance organization identified that a hydraulic leak from the pump's seal had allowed oil to enter the electric motor. This oil softened the motor's brushes, leading to excessive wear and eventual electrical failure, which prevented the motor from turning.
Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the use of the emergency extension lever. While the pilot had activated the mechanism, the lever was pushed back to its stowed position before the gear was confirmed down and locked. This action was contrary to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), which requires the lever to remain in the extended position to prevent hydraulic pressure from re-locking the gear in transition.