What happened
On 11 August 2025, a private flight traveling from Dortchester Private Farm in the North West Province to New Tempe Aerodrome in the Free State resulted in a serious incident. The aircraft, a Beechcraft V35A with registration ZS-FLR, was operating under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) when the crew prepared for arrival.
During the approach to Runway 01, the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear. While the pilot noted the sound of the gear motor and the movement of the mechanical indicators, the aircraft failed to land on its wheels. Upon touchdown, the aircraft skidded on its belly, causing a scraping sound and substantial damage to the propeller, wing flaps, and the underside of the airframe. The pilot and passenger escaped the 0 fatalities incident without injury.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the aircraft's undercarriage system was compromised by an internal mechanical interference. Post-accident inspections by an aircraft maintenance engineer revealed that the emergency extension handle had been engaged while in flight. This engagement caused the handle to jam during the landing gear deployment sequence and subsequently tripped the undercarriage motor circuit breaker.
Further examination of the cockpit revealed that the undercarriage/throttle warning light was unserviceable. Additionally, while the pilot believed the gear down indicator appeared illuminated, this was actually due to sun reflection on a non-functional indicator light.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the landing gear was not fully extended for landing, resulting in a wheels-up touchdown.
- A contributing factor was that the emergency landing gear extension handle was inadvertently engaged by a passenger while moving luggage behind the front seat.
- The emergency extension handle lacked its required protective cover, making it susceptible to accidental activation.
- The aircraft's undercarriage/throttle warning light was found to be unserviceable at the time of the incident.