What happened
On 2 May 2003, a Beech B24R, registration ZS-MOM, was operating a private flight from East London to Potchefstroom, with a scheduled refueling stop at Bloemfontein Aerodrome (FABL). The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers.
Following takeoff from Runway 20 at Bloemfontein, the aircraft achieved a positive rate of climb. During this initial ascent, the pilot retracted the landing gear and the flaps. This action resulted in a significant loss of lift, causing the aircraft to descend back toward the runway surface. In an attempt to recover, the pilot selected the landing gear to the down position; however, the gear did not have sufficient time to fully extend and lock before the aircraft made contact with the runway, resulting in a wheels-up landing.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident examined the pilot's credentials, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot held a valid private pilot license and a current medical certificate. Documentation indicated that the Beech B24R had been properly maintained, with the most recent maintenance inspection completed in January 2003.
Meteorological data confirmed that weather conditions were clear, with no cloud cover and a temperature of +22°C at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the premature retraction of the flaps and landing gear immediately after takeoff.
- The retraction of the flaps led to a sudden reduction in lift, preventing the aircraft from maintaining its climb.
- The landing gear failed to reach the locked-down position before the aircraft impacted the runway due to the short timeframe available for extension.