What happened
The pilot communicated with the control tower regarding an issue with the aircraft's landing gear system. A flyover was conducted to allow ground personnel to visually inspect the undercarriage, confirming that the gear had not fully extended or locked. The pilot was then cleared to continue flying within the traffic pattern for further troubleshooting.
Upon touchdown on runway 04, the nose and right main landing gear collapsed upon impact with the pavement. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the lower fuselage and wing structure as a result of the collapse.
The investigation
Post-acc examination of the aircraft revealed that the hydraulic system was completely depleted of fluid. Further inspection identified the source of the leak: the seal for the emergency gear extension hand pump had failed, allowing hydraulic fluid to escape over time.
Findings
The failure of the emergency gear extension pump seal led to a loss of hydraulic pressure necessary for normal gear operation. This mechanical failure prevented the landing gear from remaining extended during the final approach and landing phase.