Baron 58/58TC
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 380; Flight Crew Type 0
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Evacuated
Aircraft
We were cleared to land; I was assisting with radios. Pilot flying put the gear down; no green lights were noted and the 'In-transit light' remained illuminated. I began to assist the pilot flying with troubleshooting when I noticed and smelled smoke beginning to billow into the cabin and I felt intense heat behind my legs. We opened the storm window and door immediately to funnel the smoke out. We confirmed we felt there was a fire with a heavy amount of smoke. We also felt the potential fire situation trumped the gear issue. We then declared an emergency and advised Tower we were turning to the runway closest to us- 27L and he gave us clearance to land. I continued to help with radio communications as the Pilot in Command of the aircraft remained flying. On short final I inquired about the gear being up or down and the Tower said that the gear 'appeared to be down.' I continued to hold the door open in case of gear collapse on touchdown since an emergency evacuation was probable. The left main and nose gear touched down but the right gear seemingly failed instantly; followed in turn by the left and nose gears collapsing. When the aircraft came to a stop we made an emergency evacuation (myself first out of the right seat; then pilot flying from the left seat.) The third occupant exited out the back. There were no injuries. Because of the use of CRM type management what could've been a serious accident turned into a normal landing where the gear collapsed on touchdown.
When the Beech Baron's landing gear failed to extend normally and the occupants noted smoke; heat and feared a possible fire they declared an emergency and landed as soon as possible. Upon touchdown all three landing gear collapsed and the occupants evacuated.