Incident Overview
While extending the landing gear for landing, the pilot's right leg was sprayed with hydraulic fluid, and the gear down-and-locked light did not illuminate. The pilot aborted the landing and circled west of the airport. Subsequent attempts to lower the gear were unsuccessful. Flying by the control tower, the pilot was advised that the gear appeared retracted. Contacting company dispatch, a decision was made to proceed to another airport where maintenance personnel were based.
Pre-Landing Observations
Before landing, the pilot again flew by the tower and was informed that the nose gear appeared down, but both main landing gear were dangling. The pilot completed the emergency landing checklist, secured the engine, and executed the landing. During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway.
Post-Incident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the left-side landing gear down hydraulic line, installed from the gear handle to the gear power pack, had ruptured. The rupture was due to repeated contact with the aileron cable caused by control wheel movement. The loss of hydraulic fluid also rendered the emergency landing gear hand pump ineffective.