Chancellor 414A / C414
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 65; Flight Crew Total 6826; Flight Crew Type 136
Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
The flight originally departed ZZZ and landed at ZZZ1 midmorning. The inbound flight was unremarkable. The aircraft remained on the ground until later when it departed for ZZZ. Prior to departure a walk around inspection revealed nothing remarkable about the aircraft. The aircraft started normally and the air conditioner was turned on. It supplied cool air to the cabin. There was a 5-10 minute ground delay before takeoff for the engine temperatures to reach the green gauge. The air conditioner was turned off and a normal takeoff and gear retraction ensued. About 500 FT in the air the air conditioner was turned back on. The climb was normal and communication was established with ATC. Clearance was obtained through nearby Class C airspace. In relatively quick session; the following anomalous indications appeared. Not necessarily in this order; but the order noticed by the pilot. The air conditioner was turned off; the hydraulic pressure; gear unlocked and 'Low Hydraulic Flow' from the right engine. The autopilot was engaged and engine parameters were checked. Everything appeared normal. From the aircraft's performance it was apparent that the gear was fully retracted. Completing checklist actions for the anomalous indications made no significant change to the status of the aircraft. Shortly after consulting with the checklist there was a Low Hydraulic Flow indication from the left engine. At that time it was apparent that functioning of the hydraulic system would be impaired. No checklist items were found for this anomalous indication. An emergency was declared with ATC and agreement to hold and then en route VOR while burning off fuel. The nearby Class C TRACON was to be given a 15 minute notice prior to turning toward the airport. While 'holding' at the VOR; a schematic of the hydraulic system and POH/AFM were reviewed. There was nothing to shed light on the situation. It was also determined that the hydraulic system was only used to power the landing gear and air conditioning compressor. In planning for landing we wanted to burn off as much fuel as possible of the 2 hours of fuel on the aircraft. [I] did not extend the gear by any means until in a position to land. Otherwise an engine failure and inability to retract gear could result in an off airport landing. Regardless of any indication of gear position; we wanted to land at an airport with crash and rescue units. Instead of burning off fuel circling; a decision was made to burn it off by proceeding to ZZZ. Appropriate arrangements were made with ATC. Just in case the gear was not fully retracted or would spuriously extend; kept speed below 175 maximum for lowering the gear or flight with gear extended. [I preformed a] landing at ZZZ in accordance with ATC arrangements. [I] flew the localizer to Runway 27R with about a 10 mile final. Visually located an area northeast of my destination where fuel could be burned if the gear didn't extend. Also; if there were a partial or asymmetric deployment of the gear; a landing could still be made in case of an engine failure from this location. At 4;000 FT on final the gear did not extend with the Normal System. [I] tried extending it with the Emergency System. At first was unsuccessful and turned to 'holding' area. The Emergency System was actuated and the gear extended and locked in the down position. Even though the gear indicated down and locked; [I] had the Emergency Crews standing by. After a successful landing; a large amount of hydraulic fluid was leaking from the nose of the plane.
A C414 developed a hydraulic leak after takeoff which caused the complete loss of hydraulic fluid so an emergency was declared; but the flight continued to its destination where fuel was burned off and a safe landing accomplished after an emergency gear extension.