The airplane was substantially damaged during a gear-up landing at 1025 Eastern time. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later stated the airplane experienced an electrical failure and the alternator “fail” light illuminated. After the passenger performed the emergency landing gear extension procedure, the pilot “confirmed” the landing gear handle would no longer rotate. The electrical power loss precluded confirmation of landing gear extension.
The airplane completed a “no-bounce” landing and then settled to the runway on its belly. A mechanic supervising recovery estimated the gear was maybe five-percent deployed. Another mechanic entered the airplane, engaged the manual gear handle and lowered the gear to the down-and-locked position. The battery master switch was turned on and three green down-and-locked lights illuminated.
July 9, 2012, Johns Island, S.C., Beech A36 Bonanza
The airplane was substantially damaged during a gear-up landing at 1025 Eastern time. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.The pilot later stated the airplane experienced an electrical failure and the alternator “fail” light illuminated. After the passenger performed the emergency landing gear extension procedure, the pilot “confirmed” the landing gear handle would no longer rotate. The electrical power loss precluded confirmation of landing gear extension.The airplane completed a “no-bounce” landing and then settled to the runway on its belly. A mechanic supervising recovery estimated the gear was maybe five-percent deployed. Another mechanic entered the airplane, engaged the manual gear handle and lowered the gear to the down-and-locked position. The battery master switch was turned on and three green down-and-locked lights illuminated.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane suffered substantial damage during a gear-up landing attributed to an electrical failure, though the pilot and passenger were uninjured.
- The pilot attempted a manual gear extension but believed it failed, with the landing gear handle seemingly unable to rotate and no electrical confirmation possible.
- Post-landing, a mechanic easily engaged the manual gear handle, fully deploying the landing gear, which then illuminated down-and-locked lights when battery power was restored.
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