Background
The pilot planned a local flight to evaluate recent maintenance and charge the aircraft's battery, which had lost its charge over the winter. The engine was started using ground power. After startup, both alternator out lights extinguished, indicating the alternators were online. The aircraft was equipped with a 28-volt dual alternator electrical system, showing 29 volts output, zero battery voltage, and a charging ammeter.
Flight
During the pre-takeoff run-up, all systems, including radios and GPS, were functioning normally. At liftoff, the pilot raised the landing gear handle, retracted the flaps, and reduced power to climb. Immediately, all electrical power was lost. The pilot chose to remain in the traffic pattern and land. He lowered the landing gear handle but did not perform the emergency gear extension procedure due to the urgency and attention required by other traffic.
Accident
Upon landing on runway 24 (3,499 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway before stopping. The left horizontal stabilizer sustained skin and substructure damage.
Post-Accident Findings
A post-accident inspection revealed the battery had little or no electrolyte, with output measured at 8.3 volts and no current indication. Alternators and voltage regulators were tested under FAA supervision with no anomalies found. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) stated that using the ground service plug receptacle to start an airplane with a dead battery or charge a dead battery in the airplane was not recommended, warning that failure to observe this could result in loss of electrical power during flight. The landing gear extension and retraction system uses an electric motor to provide hydraulic pressure; loss of electrical power prevented motor operation, requiring manual gear extension. The pilot commented that inspecting the battery fluid level before the flight might have prevented the accident.