Incident Overview
On 28 April 2003, at 1239Z, a Beech A36TC aircraft, registration ZS-LFC, departed from FAHV Gariep Dam on a private return flight to FASH Stellenbosch. The pilot, accompanied by his wife and two children, held a valid private pilot license with 604 total flying hours, including 125 hours on type.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 20 minutes prior to arrival at Stellenbosch, the pilot obtained descent clearance and began descending. After reducing power and selecting 10° flap, he noticed a sudden drop in electrical power that lasted about 3 minutes. He reported the situation to Cape Town ATC, anticipating possible communication failure. He then attempted to extend the landing gear using the normal system. The gear started to extend but stopped midway, after which all electrically powered systems and instruments, including the radio, ceased to operate. Further communication was conducted via cell phone.
Cockpit Operations
The pilot circled overhead Stellenbosch aerodrome and attempted to lower the gear using the manual gear extension system. Because the gear was partially extended and 10° flap was selected, the pilot struggled to fly the aircraft while operating the emergency gear extension handle, located between the front seats. He requested his wife to operate the handle, but she also experienced great difficulty. A person on the ground at Stellenbosch confirmed via cell phone that the gear was only partially extended. The pilot then diverted to FACT (Cape Town International Airport).
Landing and Damage
On arrival at FACT, the pilot flew past the control tower, which reported that the gear was in the retracted position. The aircraft landed on Runway 34 with the landing gear retracted. Damage was sustained to the propeller, fuselage, and flaps. None of the occupants were injured.
Probable Cause
The cause for the initial electrical failure was attributed to the failure of the alternator and a worn master solenoid as well as a short circuit in the instrument lighting system. The pilot was not familiar with the manual gear extension procedure and failed to follow the correct procedure as stipulated in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook as well as the placard between the two seats. In the process the manual gear extension lever was turned the wrong way round which resulted in the partially extended landing gear being retracted instead of being extended, and resulting in a wheels up landing.