Incident Details
According to the pilot/owner, the airplane experienced a loss of electrical power, prompting a decision to return to the airport. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot moved the landing gear lever to the down position but did not observe the three green indicator lights or hear the gear extend. The pilot then contacted a maintenance facility at the airport and requested verification of the gear position during a low pass over the runway. Maintenance personnel reported that the gear was not down. The pilot subsequently attempted an emergency gear extension procedure. After another low pass, maintenance confirmed that the gear was extended, and the pilot proceeded to land. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered off the runway and struck a runway light, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.
Postaccident Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted a postaccident inspection of the airplane. The inspection revealed that the battery had been removed prior to the inspector's arrival; consequently, the reason for the electrical failure could not be determined. Examination and operational testing of the landing gear system found no anomalies.
Pilot Experience and Procedure Knowledge
The pilot had owned the airplane for approximately eight years before the accident and had accumulated 1,650 hours of flight time in the make and model. When questioned by the FAA inspector, the pilot could not successfully perform or articulate the emergency gear extension procedure. The inspector then provided the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and asked the pilot to locate the procedure. The pilot was unable to find the emergency landing gear extension procedure in the POH.