Accident Overview
On February 21, 2010, at approximately 1345 central standard time, a Cessna 172RG (registration N5404V) operated by Mach II Aviation Services, Inc., doing business as Wright Flyers Aviation, was substantially damaged during landing at Lockhart Municipal Airport (50R) in Lockhart, Texas. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The flight originated from New Braunfels Municipal Airport (BAZ) around 1330.
Pre-landing Events
According to the flight instructor's accident report, after takeoff from New Braunfels, the landing gear took approximately 10 to 15 seconds to retract. While approaching Lockhart, the instructor heard a "clicking sound" on the radio, and the second pilot experienced communications difficulties. Shortly thereafter, the radios began to "flicker" and then failed. The instructor also noticed that the fuel gauges registered almost empty.
Landing and Damage
The flight instructor took control of the airplane. When he attempted to lower the flaps, there was no response. He directed the second pilot to lower the landing gear. No warning horn or annunciator light indicated whether the gear was up or down. The airplane landed with the gear partially extended and veered off the right side of the runway into the grass. The outboard portion of the right wing and the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent.
Post-Accident Actions
After temporary repairs, the airplane was ferried to Beegles Aircraft Service in Greeley, Colorado, for permanent repairs. The ferry pilot reported recharging the battery before departing Lockhart and flying uneventfully to Greeley. Beegles Aircraft Service found no anomalies with the airplane's electrical system. In his accident report, the flight instructor stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had "read the emergency checklist and performed the manual gear extension emergency checklist."
Investigation Findings
No probable cause was determined from the source. The investigation noted the electrical anomalies experienced before landing, but no malfunctions were found during subsequent testing.