Overview
After the completion of an annual inspection, a pilot took off for a local area flight. The pilot performed one takeoff and landing without incident. On the subsequent takeoff, during the landing gear retraction process, the pilot observed a cockpit indication that the left main landing gear did not retract normally. No "up lock" light illuminated for that gear.
Pilot Actions
In an attempt to remedy the situation, the pilot pulled the landing gear circuit breaker and used the hand pump to manually extend the gear. Following these efforts, only two of the three green landing gear position lights illuminated. The pilot then informed the control tower that he would be landing with an unsafe gear indication.
The Incident
After landing, as the airplane rolled between 80 and 100 feet, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid to a stop, veering into a taxi light and onto the dirt clearway.
Inspection Findings
An FAA inspector examined the airplane and found that the left gear's actuator shaft was broken in half, and the knuckle attachment bolts had been pulled out of the structure. No evidence of any preexisting defect or malfunction in the gear assembly was observed. The noted evidence was consistent with the airplane having been subjected to a hard landing. However, the date(s) for the occurrence could not be determined.