Incident Overview
The pilot of an airplane reported that after completing three practice touch-and-go landings, he extended the landing gear for a fourth landing. The left main gear indicator light did not illuminate. The pilot cycled the landing gear, after which all three indicator lights illuminated, and a touch-and-go landing was accomplished. The landing gear was retracted.
During the subsequent final landing, the landing gear was extended, and again the left main landing gear light did not illuminate. The pilot cycled the landing gear, but this time the light remained off, and he could not confirm that the left main gear was down and locked. The pilot continued the landing approach.
Shortly after touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing contacted the runway surface, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway, coming to rest in a ditch. The left wing and stabilator sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the left main landing gear wheel well following the accident revealed excessive corrosion, dirt, and wear on the landing gear control arm, strut, torque link, gear spring, and associated connections. During a manual extension of the left main landing gear, the gear locked into the down position and the cockpit gear indicator light illuminated.
Maintenance Records
A review of the airplane's maintenance records indicated that a 100-hour inspection had been completed approximately two months before the accident.