Duchess 76
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 405; Flight Crew Type 4
Troubleshooting; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
As we approached our destination we went to put the landing gear down but the nose gear did not extend. This was verified by the Tower. We then used all available resources and checklists to try to extend the gear with no success. We then turned back to our home airport while troubleshooting on the way where we again flew by the Tower and were advised again the nose gear was still in the retracted position. We then tried one last time and; when unsuccessful; decided to land with the nose gear in the retracted position. We used all emergency checklists and did a normal approach. Upon reaching the runway threshold I put the mixtures to idle and fuel selectors off and the pilot flying turned the magnetos and master switch off upon touchdown. After skidding on the nose of the airplane and coming to a stop all 3 occupants exited the airplane and walked away un-injured.
We briefed the landing step by step. I would land the aircraft and my copilot would back me up on checklists and radios. Immediately prior to touch down my copilot would idle the mixtures and turn off the fuel selectors; to prevent a fire. I informed my copilot that upon touchdown I would turn off the magnetos and the battery. We made sure our seatbelts and shoulder harnesses were fastened and all loose materials were stowed. With the plan set; we called the Tower and requested a full stop landing on the runway. After being cleared to land we flew out to establish ourselves on a long straight in final for the runway. As we got to about a 3 mile final; the passenger in the back seat was having trouble with his seat belt; so I performed a left 360 degree turn while he tried to get it fastened. After successfully getting his seatbelt fastened I reestablished the airplane on final.
Two pilots aboard a Beechcraft Duchess were unable to extend their nose gear using either normal or emergency systems and landed with it retracted after making a flyby after which the Tower Controller confirmed the condition.