Accident Details
On July 27, 2014, at about 1830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T airplane, registration N2148J, sustained substantial damage during landing rollout at Ellington Airport (EFD), Houston, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight had departed without a flight plan from La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas, about 1715.
Preceding Events
While departing from T41, the pilot observed the landing gear unsafe light (red) illuminated after retracting the landing gear. After extending the landing gear using emergency extension procedures, the right main landing gear light (green) did not illuminate. The pilot performed a low approach and received a visual report from tower personnel at Scholes Airport (GLS), Galveston, Texas, indicating that the landing gear appeared to be down. The pilot then proceeded from GLS to EFD for landing. During the landing rollout at EFD, the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in damage to the right aileron.
Post-Accident Maintenance
Following the accident, a mechanic replaced the landing gear hydraulic pump, solenoids, and springs. After these components were replaced, the landing gear operated normally during ground testing. These maintenance actions were performed without the awareness or approval of the Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducting the investigation.