Incident Overview
The pilot was conducting touch and go landings at an airport. After attempting to lower the landing gear, the pilot observed an unsafe landing gear indication. The emergency gear extension checklist was followed, but the landing gear would not come down. The pilot then diverted to another airport and contacted the control tower.
Emergency Response
Upon arrival at the diversion airport, the pilot requested a fly-by. The controller observed the aircraft and informed the pilot that the nose gear was extended, but the main landing gear was not extended. The pilot entered the traffic pattern and made an emergency landing to the sod area left of runway 04.
Examination of the Landing Gear Actuator
The landing gear actuator was forwarded to an authorized repair station for further examination. The examination revealed that the actuator was in the partially extended position during the gear up landing. The repair station confirmed that the hydraulic pump was functioning, and the landing gear actuator was in the partially extended position during the gear up landing.
Teardown Analysis
The teardown of the landing gear actuator resulted in a conclusion: "It is our professional opinion, based on non-teardown of the unit that the power pack would have functioned and sequenced as designed; however, there is serious question as to the ability of the main gear actuators to overcome the flight loads if operated at 60 percent (fluctuating between 750 psi and 900 psi) of designed system pressure (required to be at 1950 plus or minus 50 psi."