Aircraft Electrical Failure and Landing Gear Collapse (N1082W)

Incident Overview and Electrical Failure The aircraft experienced electrical problems shortly after departing the airport while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. These issues rendered the communications, navigation, and most electrical instruments inoperable. Despite the loss of systems, the pilot continued toward the destination airport. ## Approach and Landing Gear Operation The pilot encountered visual meteorological conditions approximately 39 miles northwest of the destination airport. Before entering the traffic pattern, the pilot did not manually lower the landing gear. Instead, the gear was extended electrically while on the downwind leg. The pilot heard the landing gear go down, but the landing gear down light did not illuminate. ## Accident and Investigation Findings The landing gear collapsed during the landing roll-out. Examination of the aircraft revealed that one of the battery's positive leads was corroded. A mechanic had performed a 50-hour inspection approximately 37.5 flight hours before the accident.