Incident Details
The pilot had traveled to another airport to practice takeoffs and landings and to test the mode C transponder. After departing from that airport, he noticed that the navigational equipment was not functioning properly. While on approach to the accident airport, he also observed that he was not receiving radio transmissions from the control tower.
He lowered the landing gear and received a three green light indication, confirming the gear appeared to be down. Shortly after, the electrical power was lost. The pilot believed that the landing gear remained in the down and locked position based on the earlier green light indication, but he did not perform the emergency gear down extension procedure as outlined in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH).
As he entered the airport environment, he received a green light signal from the tower, indicating clearance to land. On the landing rollout, the gear collapsed.
Communication and Tower Observations
Tower personnel reported that the airplane entered the traffic pattern without radio communication. Because the pilot did not respond to radio calls, the tower cleared him to land using a green light signal. Tower personnel also noticed that the landing gear appeared to be down, but they could not determine whether it was locked in place.
Post-Accident Inspection
After the incident, the battery and alternator were inspected. The battery was found to have a charge of 6 volts. The alternator circuit breaker was not tripped inside the cockpit, and when tested, no discrepancies were found. The pilot reported that after starting the engine from the battery, the alternator switch must be manually turned on. He did not recall turning the alternator to the on position after engine start.