N60RABeech 200T · 1979

On January 27, 2017, at 1750 eastern standard time, a Beech 200T, N60RA, was substantially damaged during landing at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), West Palm Beach, Florida. The airline transport pilot and a commercial-rated copilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private corporation and operated by Eastern Air Express under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Treasure Cay, Bahamas (MYAT) at 1652.The pilot reported that the preflight and enroute portions of the flight were uneventful. The flight was established on the localizer for the approach to runway 28R, which was dry. Flaps were set to the approach position and the landing gear were extended and showed "3 green." After touchdown, he heard noises, and the airplane started to sink. After the airplane came to a stop on the right side of the runway, the pilots noticed that the gear handle was up. The pilot stated, "How did the gear handle get up?" He then placed the handle to the down position. The pilots secured the airplane and were met by first responders.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the airplane. Structural damage to the fuselage was confirmed. All three landing gear were found in a partially extended position. Skid marks from all three tires were observed on the runway, leading up the main wreckage. Both propeller assemblies were damaged due to contact with the runway. The pressure vessel was compromised from contact with a propeller blade. The nose landing gear actuator was forced up, into the nose gear well and penetrated the upper nose skin. Examination of the landing gear components did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or malfunction.

A 28-volt split-field motor, located on the forward side of the center-section main spar, extended and retracted the landing gear. The landing gear motor was controlled by a switch placarded "LDG GEAR CONT – UP – DN" on the pilot's right subpanel. The switch handle had to be pulled out of a detent before it could be moved from either the up or the down position.

The pilot reported in a written statement that he went to bed around 2245 local on the evening prior to the accident and woke up around 0500 local. He also reported that he "was up several times" during the night to go to the bathroom. On the day of the accident, he flew 7 legs for a total of 5.2 hours. The only food he consumed that day was a banana for breakfast.