Event PICS: S. African SA226 stuck landing gear incident

[Stratofreighter]

http://avherald.com/h?article=42cdf2f8&opt=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for the photos during and after the incident...

A West Cape Ferries Swearingen SA-226 Metroliner II, registration ZS-ZOC performing a charter flight from Lanseria to Polokwane/Pietersburg (South Africa) with 13 passengers and 2 crew, was departing Lanseria when the crew reported problems with the landing gear and entered a holding to troubleshoot the problem.

A low approach to Lanseria showed that the left hand main gear had retracted but gear doors remained partially open, the gear strut could not be extended anymore.

The crew therefore decided to retract the gear completely about one hour after departure and performed a (picture perfect) belly landing on Lanseria's runway 24R with both propellers feathered at touch down at around 11:30L (09:30Z). No injuries occured, the damage to the airplane needs to be assessed.

The airplane was to carry journalists to the soccer world championship game Algeria-Slovenia in Polokwane.

The airplane skidded approximately 600 meters (2000 feet) on its belly before coming to a stand still, the airport reported. The runway was closed for about two hours until the airplane could be moved off the runway. By 14:00L traffic was back to normal.

ZS-ZOC on low approach to check landing gear (Photo : Peter Martin)

ZS-ZOC after stand still, passengers vacating the aircraft (Photo : Peter Martin)