Incident Overview
A pilot reported that following takeoff, the landing gear failed to indicate an up-and-locked position. Attempts to lower the gear were unsuccessful, prompting the decision to return for landing. A fly-by was performed to visually verify that the gear had extended.
Landing and Gear Collapse
During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed shortly by the left main gear. The nose gear remained extended. The aircraft subsequently veered off the runway and entered a snow bank, where it came to rest.
Damage Assessment
The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the gear collapse and runway excursion.
Post-Accident Investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft did not reveal a mechanical cause for the gear malfunction. The outside air temperature at the time of the accident was approximately zero degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures as low as 10 degrees below zero Fahrenheit recorded prior to the event. Such low temperatures could contribute to a gear retraction malfunction.