Bonanza 36
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 960; Flight Crew Type 115
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
The flight was an instrument proficiency flight in a Bonanza A36. After an uneventful preflight; taxi and run-up; departure began with the emergency gear hand crank not completely stowed. The crank appeared to be tucked away on visual inspection during preflight but must have been slightly askew and still barely connected to the gear motor mechanism. Bringing the gear up on departure; the crank started spinning with the gear mechanism and the centrifugal force of rotation caused the crank to become completely unstowed (90 degree angle) and catch a flight bag in the storage area behind the seats. This tripped the gear circuit breaker. After re-stowing the crank and resetting the breaker; the gear retracted up then cycled back down fine. The flight was on an IFR clearance but operating in VMC. Upon realization that the gear was not retracting normally; the IFR flight plan was cancelled with approach with the request to go back to tower. Calling tower; we requested some time to circle and resolve the issue. After addressing the gear issue as described above a non-eventful landing was made. A few lessons learned from this incident.-Physically ensure the crank is completely stowed before start on the checklist. -Make sure that the protective cover is always installed (it was missing).-Use caution storing luggage or bags behind the pilot seats near the crank; as they can possibly catch the lever if manipulated enough (I suspect reaching and moving for the flight bag in this area before start up caused the issue).
The pilot and instructor of a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza did not recognize that the landing gear emergency extension handle was not fully stowed during pre-flight inspection. When the landing gear was retracted after takeoff; the handle came free; became entangled in a flight bag; and popped the circuit breaker.