Investigation number
199502150
Occurrence date
State
Western Australia
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Wheels up landing
Occurrence class
Accident

The pilot reported that the flight proceeded normally to Mt Holland. In the circuit at Mt Holland gear was selected down as well at 15 degrees of flap. The flap extended normally, however only the nose gear and the right main gear indicated down and locked. The gear was recycled several times with the left main gear continuing to indicate unsafe. As the gear problem couldn't be rectified a decision was made to return to Perth. On departure from Mt Holland the flaps would not retract from their 15 degrees position. The aircraft was diverted to Jandakot to avoid congestion at Perth and to allow the use of a grass landing strip. The aircraft was landed on the left hand edge of runway 30 at Jandakot. The plane touched down normally and as it slowed the left wing touched down on the grass alongside the runway. The plane slewed slightly to the left, and slowed gradually to a halt. A post accident inspection indicated that the left main gear up-lock pivot bolt was corroded. The corrosion caused increased drag during gear extension and the up-lock had not released by the time gear extension had started. The left main gear actuating rod fractured in overload and the left gear remained in the up position. The right main and nose gear extended normally. The actuating rod had fractured in the vicinity of the flap motor and part of the rod had dislodged the electrical supply to it. This caused the flaps to remain at 15 degrees. The pivot bolt is an on-condition item and is not normally checked during regular servicing. The aircraft had recently been returned to service following a two year absence after a gear-up landing. The right main pivot bolt had been removed and greased during the maintenance recovery process but the left had not.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Beech Aircraft Corp
Model
58
Registration
VH-BWJ
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Perth WA
Destination
Mount Holland WA
Damage
Substantial