Introduction
On 8 May 2002, a Beech V35A aircraft, registration ZS-FZC, was involved in an accident at Hoopstad aerodrome. The aircraft was operating a private flight from Wonderboom Airport (FAWB) to Hoopstad Aerodrome. The pilot, holding a valid private pilot license with a total of 1,418 flying hours and 36.4 hours on type, was accompanied by two passengers. The reported meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were wind from 140 degrees at 10 knots, good visibility, and a temperature of 10°C. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Flight Events
Approximately 30 minutes after departure, the turn and bank coordinator became inoperative. Shortly thereafter, the GPS also failed. Recognizing an electrical fault, the pilot switched off the strobe lights and rotating beacon. Subsequently, the engine temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge also became inoperative.
Landing and Accident
Upon arrival at Hoopstad, the pilot manually lowered the landing gear. He asked a passenger to phone a person on the ground to confirm that the gear was down. While on left downwind for Runway 32, the pilot selected flaps but received no response. He completed the circuit and landed. The aircraft rolled for 80 meters, after which the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft skidded to the right off the runway before coming to rest. None of the three occupants sustained injuries.
Post-Accident Findings
According to the approved maintenance organization (AMO) that repaired the aircraft after the accident, the undercarriage did not fully extend due to an electrical failure. Additionally, the emergency gear extension was not cranked out fully to the locked position, resulting in the collapse. However, no fault was found with the electrical system, and the failure could not be explained. The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was certified on 18 May 2001 at a total of 2,694.10 airframe hours, and the aircraft had been operated for 60.3 hours since that inspection. No on-site investigation was conducted.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the report, is that the pilot failed to crank down the undercarriage to the fully down and locked position by means of the emergency gear extension system, resulting in the collapse of the undercarriage after landing.