NTSB Reports

The pilot later stated he selected the landing gear handle to the down position, but the main landing gear did not lock in the extended position. He then selected the landing gear handle up, but the landing gear did not retract. After maneuvering away from the airport, an attempt to pump down the gear with the emergency hand pump was unsuccessful. An airframe-mounted mirror indicated the left landing gear was down. During the landing, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered to the right and departed the runway surface, coming to rest on the parallel taxiway.

Key Takeaways:

• A significant portion of incidents involved mechanical failures, including multiple landing gear malfunctions, engine issues (fuel starvation, wing fire), and a brake fire during taxi.
• Pilot judgment and experience were critical factors in several accidents, notably with student pilots flying unfamiliar aircraft without proper endorsements and loss of control during takeoff or critical flight phases.
• Multiple fatal accidents occurred, including a mid-air collision, crashes during instrument flight rule (IFR) conditions, and loss of control events, resulting in significant loss of life.
• Maintenance discrepancies, such as missing securing hardware or improper installation of components like brake calipers, were identified as contributing factors in certain mechanical failures.

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