King Air C90 E90
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Total 1380; Flight Crew Type 25
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown
Aircraft
I was piloting a King Air A90 during skydive operations. I was single pilot. Preflight of the aircraft was normal and oil on both engines ran at 1 quart indicated cold. The before takeoff checklist/run up was complete as per the checklist.On the 5th load of the day after departing and while climbing out I experienced the smell of smoke in the cockpit at approximately 2000 feet. I was alerted by several of the skydive instructors that fire/smoke was coming from the right side. I confirmed the evidence smoke but no fire was present and it appeared to be outside the aircraft emanating from the right engine nacelle. I was unable to determine if the smell was electrical or petroleum based but I decided to shut down the right engine as per the memory items and return to the airport for landing. After the engine was shut I could no longer see evidence of smoke.After alerting approach that that I was returning to land due to a possible engine fire I changed frequency to CTAF. I positioned myself for final approach; and lowered the gear handle; but was unable to obtain 3 green. I saw the breaker for the landing gear was popped and reset the breaker and attempted to lower the gear again unsuccessfully. I aborted the approach. Smoke began to fill the cockpit again. I discussed the situation with the senior jump instructor and chose to climb the aircraft to 3000-3500 feet and allow the skydivers to exit above the minimum safe jump altitude. While climbing I completed the engine shutdown and secure checklist and asked the skydiver at the door to look to visually observe the gear and was informed the gear was half down at varying degrees. After completion of the engine shutdown checklist no further smoke was visible or could be smelled. Further; with the rear exit door open most of the smoke had vented from the cabin. I had the jumpers brief their exit and I performed the jump run. All jumpers exited the aircraft successfully without incident. After the jumpers exited I was able to control and climb the aircraft and began working the emergency gear down checklist. I was unable to successfully engage the clutch as per the procedure and felt no resistance on the manual gear handle as it was swung and asked for another King Air pilot to work the checklist over the radio. During this time several flight instruments failed.While loitering [in] the area I transferred fuel from the left wing to the left nacelle tank. After all options were exhausted and approximately 30 minutes of fuel remaining I briefed to myself a gear up landing and I executed the landing. The landing gear buckled upon landing but the aircraft remained on the runway and slid to a stop. I quickly performed the emergency shutdown memory items and evacuated. I was uninjured and learned all jumpers were uninjured.
BE-65 pilot reported shutting down right engine when smoke was spotted coming from the nacelle. He was unable to fully extend the landing gear and the gear collapsed on landing.