Aircraft: Beech Duchess. Injuries: None. Location: San Carlos, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial
What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the tower controller notified him that the right main landing gear did not appear to fully retract.
The pilot did a fly-by over the runway, and the controller reported that all three landing gear appeared to be fully extended. The pilot then departed the area to another airport.
While on approach for landing, the pilot selected the gear down. The left and nose landing gear indication lights illuminated but the right gear light did not. The pilot tested the light bulb and attempted to perform an emergency gear extension.
During a low approach, tower personnel reported that the landing gear appeared to be in the down position. The pilot was subsequently cleared to land.
The pilot reported that after touchdown he cautiously slowed the airplane to almost a complete stop before turning off the runway. During the turn, the right main landing gear collapsed.
The post-accident visual examination of the gear revealed that the A-frame assembly failed in what appeared to be in overload at the top/forward attach point.
Probable cause: The collapse of the right main landing gear during the turn off the runway due to the failure of the A-frame assembly.
NTSB Identification: WPR12LA052
This December 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
The plane was trying to tell the pilot something was wrong. After troubleshooting the gear light and a flyover check and a landing would not a shutdown and tow to the shop been a great idea instead of the taxi? I guess hindsight is 20/20.