Incident Overview
A flight operating from FALA to FAPP experienced an issue with the landing gear during approach to Runway 05 at FAPP. After selecting landing gear down, the flight crew observed a red unsafe indication. The crew reported the situation to FAPP Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Visual Inspection and Attempts to Extend
ATC instructed a low-level fly-past for visual inspection, which revealed that the left main gear had not extended. The crew then held over the beacon (BHV) and attempted to extend the gear using normal and emergency procedures, but were unsuccessful; the undercarriage remained retracted.
Return to FALA and Further Attempts
The flight crew returned to FALA with the intention of performing an emergency landing. FALA ATC instructed them to hold over the beacon (LIV) to again attempt normal and emergency extension procedures. Once more, the crew could not lower the left main gear.
Emergency Landing
ATC directed the aircraft to execute an emergency landing on Runway 24R. During short finals, overhead the threshold and prior to touchdown, the flight crew shut down both engines, feathered the propellers, and switched off all electronics. The aircraft landed on its lower fuselage and came to a gradual stop on the runway centerline.
Official Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the pilot executed a belly “wheels up” emergency landing after the left main landing gear failed to extend. A contributing factor was that new tyres installed on the main landing gear wheels were not in compliance with the instructions of the Fairchild Service Letter 226-SN-131.