Incident Overview
During the landing sequence, the airplane veered off the runway surface, and the left main landing gear collapsed. This event followed an aborted gear-up landing during which the propeller contacted the runway.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported extending the landing gear upon entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. However, ground witnesses observed the landing gear in the retracted position throughout the entire approach and attempted landing.
Propeller Contact and Abort
During the landing flare, with the landing gear still retracted, the left propeller contacted the runway surface. The pilot subsequently aborted the landing.
Subsequent Maneuvers
While climbing to the crosswind leg, the pilot noted insufficient aircraft performance to complete a landing pattern. He then executed a 180-degree turn back to the runway and extended the landing gear.
Touchdown and Excursion
As the airplane touched down, it veered off the runway surface, encountered a dirt area, and the left main landing gear collapsed.
Post-Accident Examination
At the request of Safety Board investigators, an FAA certified aircraft mechanic examined the airplane shortly after the accident. The mechanic stated that no mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded the landing gear from operating normally.