What happened
A flight carrying thirteen passengers and two crew members departed from FALA, bound for FAPP. During the approach to Runway 05 at FAPP, the crew attempted to deploy the landing gear but observed a red warning light indicating that the undercarriage was unsafe. After notifying FAPP Air Traffic Control, the crew was instructed to perform a low-level fly-past to facilitate a visual inspection of the gear. During this maneuver, controllers observed that the left main gear had failed to extend.
Following instructions from FAPP ATC, the crew held position over the BHV beacon to attempt both standard and emergency gear extension procedures. When these efforts failed to rectify the retracted state of the left main gear, the crew decided to return to FALA to perform an emergency landing. While holding over the LIV beacon, the crew made a second attempt to deploy the undercarriage using emergency protocols, but the left main gear remained stuck.
FAPP ATC subsequently directed the aircraft to execute an emergency landing on Runway 24R. As the aircraft reached short finals near the runway threshold, the crew prepared for the impact by shutting down both engines, feathering the propellers, and deactivating all electronic systems. The aircraft type landed on its lower fuselage, sliding along the centerline before coming to a gradual stop. There were zero fatalities and no injuries reported among the 15 people on board.
Findings
- The left main landing gear failed to extend despite the execution of both normal and emergency deployment procedures.
- The left main gear remained in a retracted position throughout the flight maneuvers and the subsequent emergency landing.