AAIB Bulletin No: 4/96 Ref: EW/G96/02/11
Beechcraft C23 Sundowner · Other Documents
Overview
This document is an AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) bulletin detailing an incident involving the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner 180, registration G-BARH. The bulletin outlines the circumstances surrounding a flight that resulted in damage to the aircraft's left main landing gear, flap, and aileron. The incident occurred during a private training flight on February 25, 1996, when the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing due to a passenger's illness. The document serves as a report for aviation safety and provides insights into the incident for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
- Aircraft Model: Beechcraft C23 Sundowner 180
- Incident Date: February 25, 1996
- Flight Type: Private (Training)
- Pilot's Experience: 217 hours total, 150 hours on type
- Emergency Landing: Required due to passenger illness
- Landing Gear Failure: Left main landing gear detached during landing
- Final Approach: Grass Runway 24, aircraft came to rest 9 feet off runway edge.
Document
Source
Originally published by assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Other Documents
- Year
- 1996
- Pages
- 2
- File size
- 68 KB
- Publisher
- assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
Common. Rarer than 12% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Free — save the BEECH C23 Sundowner 180 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
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In this document
Incident Overview
On February 25, 1996, the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner 180, G-BARH, was involved in an incident during a private flight. The pilot, accompanied by three passengers, decided to land at Breighton airfield after one passenger became sick. Upon landing, the pilot heard a bang, suspected a burst tire, and executed a go-around. It was later confirmed that the left main landing gear had detached.
Pilot's Actions
The pilot briefed the passengers on the emergency landing procedure and instructed them to distribute their weight to the right side of the aircraft. He also had to communicate with the rear seat passengers without an intercom, which added to the complexity of the situation.
Landing Procedure
The aircraft approached grass Runway 24 with full flaps and the right wing down. At approximately 200 feet, the pilot turned off the fuel and electrics. The aircraft touched down but veered left upon contact with the ground, coming to rest approximately 9 feet off the runway edge.
Engineering Report
After the incident, engineering personnel reported visible tire marks in the grass before the runway, indicating the point of landing gear failure. The detached landing gear was later collected for inspection.
Safety notes
- Ensure all passengers are briefed on emergency procedures before flight.
- Maintain communication with all occupants, especially in emergency situations.
- Be aware of runway conditions and potential hazards during landing.
Full document text
Beech C23 Sundowner 180, G-BARH, 25 February 1996 AAIB Bulletin No: 4/96 Ref: EW/G96/02/11 Category: 1.3 Aircraft Type and Registration:Beech C23 Sundowner 180, G-BARH No & Type of Engines:1 Lycoming O-360-A4J piston engine Year of Manufacture:1973 Date & Time (UTC):25 February 1996 at 1215 hrs Location:Sherburn-in-Elmet Aerodrome, West Yorkshire Type of Flight:Private (Training) Persons on Board:Crew - 1 Passengers - 3 Injuries:Crew - None Passengers - None Nature of Damage:Damage to left main landing gear, flap and aileron Commander's Licence:Private Pilot's Licence Commander's Age:38 years Commander's Flying Experience:217 hours (of which 150 were on type) Last 90 days - 4 hours Last 28 days - 2 hours Information Source:Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot and furtherenquiries by the AAIB The pilot and three passengers departed Sherburn-in -Elmet airfieldat 1045 hrs for a sight seeing flight in the local area. Theweather at the time was fine with good visibility, no significantweather or cloud and a surface wind of 210°/08 kt. Seatedin the front of the aircraft was the pilot's 11 year old son withtwo teenagers seated in the rear. As the aircraft departed the York area heading for the Humberbridge, one of the rear seat passengers became sick. The pilottherefore decided to land at Breighton, the nearest suitable airfield. Tarmac Runway 11 ( 575 x 9 metres) was in use and the pilot joinedthe circuit on a right base leg. The pilot reported that he wasaware the there had been a frost the previous evening and so decidedto land exactly on the threshold so as to reduce the braking requirements. As the aircraft touched down the pilot heard a bang which hebelieved to be a burst tyre. He immediately executed a go-aroundand called Breighton radio for a visual inspection of his aircraft. Ground personnel advised him that the left main landing gearhad become detached and that he should return to Sherburn-in-Elmetwhere they would be advised of the situation. The pilot circledthe airfield on his arrival whilst the emergency services weredeployed. At this stage one of the rear seat passengers began to feel verysick and become agitated. With no intercom for the rear seats,the pilot had to remove his headset and turn to talk to the rearseat occupants in order to calm the passenger and brief them bothon the forthcoming emergency landing. He briefed his son, seatedalongside him in the front, to fly the aircraft straight and levelwhilst he carried out the briefing. The rear passengers wereinstructed to distribute their weight to the right side of theaircraft and open the right hatch at fifty feet on final approach. After the briefing the pilot resumed control and, still in radiocontact with Sherburn, was instructed by the CFI on the landingtechnique and procedure to be flown. The aircraft was positioned on final approach to grass Runway24 (722 x 30 metres) with full flap selected and with the rightwing down. At approximately 200 feet the pilot selected the fueland electrics off. The aircraft touched down on the thresholdand as the left wing contacted the ground the aircraft turnedto the left and came to rest approximately 9 feet to the leftof the runway edge. The pilot and passengers vacated the aircraftwithout injury. Engineering personnel from Sherburn, who were later dispatchedto collect the detached main landing gear, reported that tyremarks were visible in the grass area some ten feet before thestart of the raised paved surface of the runway.