Accident Details
According to the pilot's report, the aircraft entered a downwind leg for runway 35, at which point the landing gear was lowered. The pilot stated that everything appeared normal until touchdown, when the gear retracted. The pilot noted that 'evidently the gear did not lock.' Following the gear retraction, the airplane slid 250 yards and came to rest upright. A postaccident fire erupted, consuming the cockpit—including the instrument panel—and the belly of the airframe.
Aircraft Guidance
The Pilot's Operating Handbook specifies that a green light on the instrument panel, located below the landing gear switch, indicates all gears are down and locked. Additionally, item number 6 on the landing checklist states: 'Landing gear down (under 150 MPH check green light on, warning horn off, gear emergency handle in forward position).'