Accident Overview
On February 25, 2017, at approximately 1115 eastern standard time, a Socata TB20, registration N2519T, was substantially damaged during a gear-up landing at Melbourne International Airport (MLB) in Melbourne, Florida. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal purposes. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the trip, which originated from Key West International Airport (EYW) at about 1012.
Pilot Actions
During the cross-country flight, the pilot observed the alternator warning light illuminate and the battery begin to discharge. He contacted air traffic control but did not declare an emergency. The pilot initiated a slow descent while attempting to extend the landing gear using the emergency extension system. After several unsuccessful attempts, he performed a gear-up landing.
Aircraft Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. The main landing gear was found extended but not fully locked. The nose landing gear remained retracted in the wheel well. The bottom forward bulkhead sustained damage during the landing sequence. Inspection of the nose gear assembly revealed that the circlip on the nose gear strut had become dislodged from the leg assembly, allowing the strut to extend beyond its normal range. The circlip, intended to retain the nose gear strut inside the assembly, had paint on its outer portion, which should have been fully seated in the groove. The circlip groove was in serviceable condition with no corrosion or deformation.
Maintenance History
Maintenance records indicated that the nose strut was disassembled and repaired on July 15, 2015. The airplane was completely repainted on April 5, 2016. Since the nose gear disassembly, the airplane had accumulated approximately 75 hours of flight time. Per the airplane's maintenance manual, the nose landing gear strut retaining circlip should be fully installed in its groove, and after installation, the landing gear should be rotated several times to confirm proper installation.