Incident Overview
The pilot completed the landing check and verified that the landing gear cockpit indicators showed the landing gear was in the down and locked position. The approach continued, and during touchdown, the airplane contacted the runway with the left main wheel retracted.
Post-Flight Inspection
Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear extension rod was bent. The bent extension rod was replaced, and a successful functional check of the entire landing gear system was accomplished. According to the flying club assistant chief pilot, the airplane was used for training purposes, and the origin of the extension rod deformation was not determined.
Pilot's Means of Verification
The assistant chief pilot also noted that the pilot had no means of verifying when the main and nose gear assemblies are in the extended and locked positions beyond the cockpit indicators.