History of Flight
The pilot, also the aircraft owner, departed New Tempe Aerodrome (FATP) for a local flight in the Bloemfontein General Flying Area. After approximately one hour, when the landing gear was selected down, it failed to extend and the three green down-and-locked indication lights did not illuminate. The pilot cycled the landing gear circuit breaker and attempted lowering the gear several times with the normal system, without success.
The pilot then attempted to use the landing gear emergency hand crank, but found it inoperable because the plastic forward carry-through spar cover had been improperly installed over the hand crank, interfering with its operation. Despite removing four of the six retaining screws, the pilot could not extract the cover in the time available before fuel exhaustion. He consequently performed a landing with the gear retracted.
Aircraft Damage
During the belly landing on Runway 30 at Bloemfontein Aerodrome (FABL), the aircraft sustained deep scratches to the underside of the fuselage and a propeller strike.
Injuries
The pilot was not injured. There were no other occupants.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be: Following an undetermined landing gear system failure, the pilot was unable to utilize the emergency landing gear hand crank as it was positioned behind the forward spar cover behind the front seats. Contributory factors included the improper installation of the spar cover that interfered with the emergency hand crank operation, and the failure of the Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) to detect the improper installation prior to issuing the certificate of release to service.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Beech F33A (serial CE-680) manufactured in 1976, powered by a Continental IO-520-BA12B engine and a McCauley 3A32C76-S-MR propeller. At the time of the accident, the airframe had 2590.0 hours total time. The last Mandatory Periodic Inspection (MPI) was certified on 25 August 2007 at 2568.0 hours by an AMO at Parys aerodrome.
The pilot, aged 53, held a valid Private Pilot Licence with a type endorsement and night rating, and had accumulated 699.7 total flying hours, including 512.7 hours on type.
Post-Accident Tests and Research
After the accident, the aircraft was recovered and landing gear retraction tests were performed at an AMO; the gear operated satisfactorily. Further tests after ferrying to Parys also found no fault, though the gear motor was replaced as a precaution. The investigation noted that the Beechcraft Bonanza Series Maintenance Manual contains a caution about proper installation of the forward carry-through spar cover to avoid interference with the emergency hand crank.