N2705BAero Commander 560 · 1955

On July 26, 2018, about 0950 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 560, N2705B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Crestview, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 ferry flight.

The airplane had recently been purchased and was being relocated for additional maintenance. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a Special Flight Permit (ferry permit) for the flight from Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona, to Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Gainesville, Florida.

The pilot departed SDL on July 24, but experienced right engine anomalies shortly after departure and returned to the airport. While approaching for landing, the right main landing gear light did not illuminate to indicate that it was down and locked; after troubleshooting and visually confirming that the right main gear was extended, the pilot landed uneventfully, although the gear warning horn sounded during the landing flare.

The pilot reported that after landing and additional troubleshooting with a mechanic, the engine issue was resolved. The right main gear light anomaly was determined to be the result of the dimmer being closed. The mechanic reported that the pilot did not mention the landing gear warning horn.

The following day, the pilot departed SDL, made one intermediate fuel stop, and then flew to Orange County Airport (ORG), Orange, Texas, with no anomalies. The pilot spent the night and departed the following morning. After an uneventful flight from ORG, while landing at Bob Sikes Airport (CEW), Crestview, Florida, to refuel, the nose landing gear settled onto the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right side of the fuselage impacted the pavement and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway.

The airplane was manufactured in 1955 and was equipped with two Lycoming GO-480-B, 270-horsepower engines driving Hartzell, three-blade, constant-speed propellers. The airplane had accumulated about 6,727 hours total time as of the ferry permit inspection on July 17, 2018, and both engines had accumulated 1,255 hours total time since overhaul.

The maintenance records documented the replacement of 3 main landing gear bungies on July 13, 2018, and the FAA inspector who performed the pre-ferry flight inspection confirmed and documented their replacement. Before the accident flight, the airplane had not flown in about 7 years.

Examination revealed that the bottom right side of the fuselage, several feet aft of the nose landing gear, was torn open and several ribs and stringers were damaged. In addition, the right engine pylon suffered damage. The FAA inspector who responded to the accident site reported that the right landing gear bungies were missing. It could not be determined if they were removed during recovery and stabilization of the landing gear down-lock system, as the airplane was recovered from the accident site before his examination.