Accident Description
The airplane sustained substantial damage when the partially extended main landing gear collapsed during landing. The aircraft touched down on its fully extended nose wheel and partially extended main landing gear, then rolled onto its right wing and horizontal stabilizer before skidding to a stop on the runway.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the attitude indicator failed during cruise flight about 30 minutes after departure. When 10 miles from the airport, the pilot slowed to 110 knots, extended ten degrees of flaps, and lowered the landing gear switch. A green light illuminated on the gear position indicator. The pilot also reported failures of the primary and secondary radios, the horizontal situation indicator (HSI), and the electrically powered primary altimeter, which was stuck at 2,900 feet. Communications with the tower were conducted using a portable radio.
During short final approach with full flaps and idle power, the control tower informed the pilot that the wheels were not down. The pilot chose to continue the landing rather than perform a go-around, citing concerns that full flaps and potential inability to retract flaps would prevent a successful climb, and that the partially extended gear added drag.
Post-Accident Inspection
At a maintenance facility, the airplane was placed on jacks to test the landing gear system. When the landing gear handle was placed in the up position, the gear retracted normally. When placed in the down position, the gear extended but not to the fully down position. Inspection of the hydraulic reservoir revealed the fluid level was below the pick-up point of the electrically activated hydraulic pump, though sufficient fluid remained for emergency manual gear extension. Six to eight ounces of hydraulic fluid were added. After fluid addition, the gear cycled four to five times and retracted and extended normally. Emergency gear extension procedures also resulted in full extension. The battery was found weak and required recharging.