Incident Details
The flight was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) when radio contact with air traffic control was lost. The pilot descended and returned to Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV). During the descent, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear. He stated that he was unable to fully extend and lock the gear using both normal and emergency procedures due to a loss of electrical power. An approach was flown to the runway with the main landing gear extended and the nose gear in an undetermined position.
Final Approach and Impact
On short final approach, the pilot realized the aircraft would be short of the runway and attempted to add engine power, but the engine did not respond. The aircraft made a hard landing on the overrun section of the runway. The impact drove the main landing gear into the wing spar, causing a partial collapse of the landing gear and major structural damage to the aircraft.
Witness Observations
Two witnesses, both certified flight instructors (CFIs), reported that during the short final they heard two applications of power before impact. However, they observed that the aircraft had developed a nose-high attitude and a high sink rate, which was not arrested prior to ground contact.
Post-Accident Examination
Maintenance personnel examined the aircraft's alternator and found that the brushes were completely burned out. The engine was later test-run by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel and was found to operate normally.