Event Summary
The airplane experienced a collapse of the right main landing gear during a precautionary landing. The pilot had just picked up the aircraft from a facility after a new avionics suite had been installed; this was the first flight after the completion of the work. As the flight neared the airport of intended landing, the pilot requested and received a clearance into the traffic pattern. He had just placed the landing gear switch in the down position and was reaching for the flaps when the airplane lost all electrical power. The pilot reported that the power loss was sudden, with no prior indications of a decreasing electrical power reserve, such as dimming lights or fading radios.
Pilot Actions
After the power loss, the pilot circled and attempted to rectify the problem without success. He then decided to return to the airplane's home airport. As he entered the traffic pattern, the pilot and a passenger visually examined the position of both the right and left main landing gear, which appeared to be in the down and locked position. The pilot then extended the hand pump, pumped it a few times, and felt strong resistance from the system. Approximately two seconds after touchdown, the airplane shuddered and then veered off the right side of the runway. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noticed that the right main landing gear had folded under the fuselage.
Post-Accident Inspection
A recovery crew lifted the airplane using a sling and manually extended the right main landing gear into the down and locked position, where it remained during towing operations back to the pilot's hangar. Post-accident inspection of the electrical system revealed that the alternator switch contact was not functioning properly. This resulted in a lack of field current and eventual complete discharge of the battery.
Emergency Procedures
The emergency section of the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) under the emergency gear extension section instructs the pilot to pump the hand pump until "strong resistance is felt." Without electrical power, the landing gear warning lights and horn do not operate, and the pilot must rely on a visual inspection of the main landing gear to determine if they are in the down position.