FTW85FA358

Factual narrative

THE PLT COULD NOT LOWER THE LANDING GEAR THROUGH USE OF THE NORMAL GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM. HE WAS ABLE TO PARTIALLY LOWER IT THROUGH THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM. NEXT HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. THE NOSE GEAR REMAINED DOWN BUT UNLOCKED WHILE THE MAIN GEARS FOLDED BACK INTO THEIR WHEEL WELLS. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF ITS HORIZONTAL STABILATOR STRUCK A SHORT WOOD POST AND BROUGHT THE AIRCRAFT TO A STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SUPPLY HAD BEEN DEPLEATED THROUGH A FATIGUE CRACKED ALUMINUM PRESSURE LINE, THUS CAUSING THE HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED LANDING GEAR SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE BY USE OF ITS NORMAL OR EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEMS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12