Incident Overview
A pilot was conducting practice flights in preparation for a commercial pilot certificate. During the initial takeoff, after raising the landing gear, the pilot noticed that the gear in-transit light remained illuminated. The pilot then pulled the landing gear pump circuit breaker. Upon resetting the breaker, no movement was observed on the ammeter, which the pilot interpreted as the pump not running. Despite the in-transit light staying on, the pilot believed the gear was up and locked.
Flight Progression
The pilot continued to the practice area to perform air work before returning to the airport for touch-and-go landings. During the first landing, the gear extended normally and three green lights indicated the gear was down and locked. On the subsequent takeoff, the gear would not retract and lock. The pilot cycled the gear handle several times. The pilot reported that three green lights were present, but the gear in-transit light remained on for the entire flight.
Landing and Collapse
The pilot made a normal touchdown, after which the right main landing gear collapsed, causing the airplane to veer to the right off the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA Inspector examined the airplane and found that the nose and right main landing gear had collapsed, with structural damage to the wing ribs at the right main landing gear attach point. The airplane was placed in a hangar and jacked up for a retraction test. When the gear handle was placed in the up position, the gear raised normally, and the in-transit light extinguished when the gear was up and locked. However, when the gear handle was placed in the down position, the hydraulic pump operated but the gear did not extend; the landing gear remained up and locked. Striking the pump with a hammer freed the shuttle valve, after which the gear operated normally. According to the FAA Inspector, the gear would not extend normally without striking the shuttle valve with a hammer.