Accident Overview
On January 23, 2013, at 1200 central standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, registration N6195P, experienced a landing gear collapse while landing at Collin County Regional Airport (KTKI) in McKinney, Texas. The airplane was operated by private individuals under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and originated from Grayson County Airport (KGYI) in Denison, Texas, at 1135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed KTKI and proceeded to KGYI, where a touch-and-go landing was performed, followed by a full-stop landing for fueling. During the return flight to KTKI, the pilot was unable to contact the air traffic control tower. After circling the area, he determined that the radios were not transmitting. The control tower observed the circling aircraft and signaled via light gun that the airplane was cleared to land. As the pilot turned toward the airport, a total loss of electrical power occurred.
Attempting to identify the cause, the pilot and passenger checked circuit breakers without success. The pilot moved the landing gear handle to the down position, and the passenger followed the emergency landing gear extension checklist. The pilot heard the gear extend and observed through the left wingtip mirror that the landing gear appeared to be down.
Landing and Aftermath
The pilot continued the approach and received a light gun signal from the tower clearing him to land. Upon touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid approximately 200 feet before coming to rest. The firewall was damaged.
Post-accident, the master switch was turned on, and cockpit indications showed electrical power was produced. After about one minute, power was lost again.
Investigation Findings
The landing gear could not be functionally tested due to impact damage, but visual inspection revealed no mechanical reason preventing it from locking in the extended position.
An electrical capacity test on the battery showed failure after 13 minutes of a 60-minute test. The alternator, voltage regulator, overvoltage control, and capacitor tested normal.
The aircraft had not been flown since October 2012; the battery was charged before the flights. The mechanic who performed the annual inspection on December 13, 2012, stated that he did not perform an electrical capacity check. Records indicate that a landing gear swing and emergency extension operation check were conducted during that inspection.