Incident Details
A pilot reported that during a night landing at McCarran Airport, he maintained a slightly higher speed and power setting than normal, as it was his first night landing at that airport. On final approach, he required heavy left rudder input. After touchdown on the left main landing gear, he kept the nose wheel off the runway. When he subsequently lowered the nose, the right wing contacted the ground, and the propeller struck the runway surface. The aircraft then departed the right side of the runway and entered a ditch.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed that all three landing gear were retracted into their respective wells, but the main gear doors were partially open. The landing gear selector was found in the down position. The lock-out feature was not engaged. No mechanical discrepancies were identified in the landing gear system, except that the landing gear warning horn was inoperative. When tested, the horn housing became hot and eventually caused the circuit breaker to trip, deactivating the gear position indicator lights. The pilot stated that he did not recall seeing a safe gear indication during the approach.
Conclusion
The investigation did not determine a specific cause for the incident.