What happened
The pilot arrived at the intended destination and encountered difficulty fully extending the landing gear. To address the situation, the pilot diverted to Visalia, California. Before attempting to land, the pilot reduced the aircraft's fuel load to minimize the risk of fire or explosion. The pilot then executed an intentional, power-off, wheels-up landing on the runway.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed the mechanical cause of the malfunction. The nose gear bellcrank assembly had caught on the edge of a box plate during the extension process. Because the landing gear system was designed to operate all three gears together, the obstruction in the nose gear prevented the main gear from fully extending as well.
Findings
The investigation determined that the mechanical interference between the nose gear bellcrank assembly and the box plate was the primary factor preventing proper gear extension. The pilot's decision to reduce fuel and perform a controlled wheels-up landing mitigated potential catastrophic outcomes associated with a hard landing or structural failure.