Accident Briefs: July 2017

Fort Mohave, Arizona

The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, he retracted the landing gear normally and then "a few minutes later the radios went blank." He believed he had a radio problem, so he decided to return to the airport. During the return, the pilot moved the landing gear selector to the down position, but the three gear down indicator lights did not illuminate. Subsequently, the pilot circled a few miles east of the airport to troubleshoot the issue.

The pilot reported that, during the circling, he "cycled the master switch and the radio master a couple times with no results." The pilot added that the airplane was equipped with an "automatic gear extension system," so he verified that the override switch was not engaged, fully extended the flaps, and slowed the airplane to 85 knots. Subsequently, the pilot believed the landing gear was down, so he returned to the airport for landing. During touchdown, the left main landing gear and nose gear collapsed (or were not extended), and the airplane veered off the runway into dirt, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. During a postaccident interview, the pilot reported that he believed he had "a total electrical failure."

According to a witness who owns a house on the airport property, he observed the airplane depart and about 5 minutes later, saw that the airplane had returned for landing. The witness reported that the airplane's landing gear were retracted until the point at which the pilot began the landing flare over the runway. When the airplane was about 5 feet above the runway, each landing gear began to extend, but the airplane touched down before the nose gear and left main landing gear could extend fully.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector (ASI) who arrived at the accident site about 2 to 3 hours after the event, when he "switched the master switch on," he observed electrical equipment turn on and heard the landing gear extension motor running. During a subsequent postaccident examination, the FAA ASI reported that he found no abnormalities with the electrical system. He also extended the landing gear to the down-and-locked position with the electric/hydraulic system and observed three green indicator lights illuminate.

According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the accident airplane, a "pressure sensing device" in the landing gear system will lower the gear "regardless of the gear selection position," pending that the override switch is not engaged. The POH further stated, in part, "The gear is designed to extend at airspeeds below approximately103 KIAS [knots indicated airspeed] with power off even if the selector is in the up position. The extension speeds will vary from approximately 81 KTS [knots] to approximately 103 KIAS depending on power settings and altitude."

It is likely that the pilot failed to extend the landing gear for landing and that, as the airspeed slowed during the landing flare, the pressure sensing device automatically deployed the landing gear. However, due to the insufficient altitude and time, the landing gear were unable to fully extend and lock.

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for landing.

1 Fatal

West, Texas

After completing an aerial application flight, the commercial pilot was returning to the base airport over 15 nautical miles away when the airplane impacted terrain and was consumed by a postimpact fire. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented and damaged by fire, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed cellular tower guy wire and right wing damage that was consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guy wires while intentionally flying at a low altitude in visual meteorological conditions.

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate at low altitude.

1 Minor

Live Oak, California

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on base for his private grass airstrip, he noticed he was high, so he added flaps to increase his descent. He added that, on final, the airspeed was a little fast and during the landing, he flared the airplane "a little high." After touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes, but the airplane did not respond, so he applied "a little more brake"; subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that he should have performed a go-around instead of attempting to "salvage the landing."

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach and his subsequent incorrect brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.