Beech C24R N20135 accident near Marine City, Michigan

Probable cause

The misalignment of the right main landing gear, which resulted in the failure of the landing gear to retract and extend properly. Also causal was the pilot's failure to have the airplane inspected after a hard landing that had resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting a personal flight when, after takeoff, the right main landing gear did not initially fully retract. The pilot said that, before he could recycle the landing gear, he felt a "thump," and the right landing gear position indictor light turned off (indicating a fully retracted landing gear). Believing the issue had resolved itself, he continued to his planned destination. The pilot reported that, while on landing approach, he selected the landing gear to extend; however, the indicator light for the right main landing gear did not illuminate (indicating an unsafe gear position). He conducted a go-around, and after several unsuccessful attempts to extend the right main landing gear, including an emergency extension, the pilot decided to land with the right main landing gear retracted. The pilot intentionally landed along the right edge of the runway to allow the right wing to drop onto the grass alongside the runway. Upon landing, the right wing contacted the ground, and the airplane swerved off the right side of the runway into a marshy grass area. The right wing and the right side of the stabilator were substantially damaged when they collided with several runway lights during the landing.

Postaccident examination and testing revealed that the right main landing gear was misaligned, which resulted in the tire contacting the aft wheel well fairing during landing gear retraction and extension. The pilot subsequently reported that the airplane had recently been involved in a hard landing, after which the right-side cabin door began to scrape the top of the right wing when it was opened and closed. It is likely that the previous hard landing had resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and the misalignment of the right main landing gear. A review of the airframe maintenance logbook confirmed that landing gear had extended and retracted normally during the last annual inspection. There were no logbook maintenance entries after the last annual inspection.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA190 for the full record.