What happened
Following takeoff, the pilot reported hearing an audible snap at the conclusion of the landing gear retraction sequence. Although all indicator lights suggested the gear had stowed correctly, the system failed to function as intended during the approach to the destination airport. When the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear, it would not extend. A subsequent manual extension attempt proved futile; the handcrank offered no resistance or tension, indicating a complete mechanical disconnect within the retraction mechanism. Unable to resolve the issue through normal or emergency procedures, the pilot executed a gear-up landing.
The investigation
A postaccident examination of the aircraft's landing gear assembly revealed the specific point of failure. The actuator worm gear bushing, identified by part number 35-810077-3, had fractured. This structural failure severed the mechanical linkage required to operate the gear extension and retraction system.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the fracture of the actuator worm gear bushing. This component failure prevented the deployment of the landing gear, resulting in a gear-up landing.