Accident Details
During a stage check for a commercial pilot training course, a flight instructor and a private pilot student were conducting traffic pattern operations. The student performed the G.U.M.P. (gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller) check on downwind. Before the turn to base leg, the gear was selected down by the student, and three green landing gear extended indication lights were observed illuminated. After a normal landing touchdown, as the airplane slowed to 40 knots during the ground roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right.
The instructor reported that he did not visually check the right main landing gear to confirm it was extended. The student stated that on downwind they followed the G.U.M.P.S checklist and verified the landing gear was down, with the instructor checking the right main gear and the student checking the left main gear. On base leg, the student checked the landing lights with green lights.
Witness Account
A commercial pilot witness, driving along an airport perimeter road, had a head-on view of the airplane on final approach. He observed that the airplane appeared to not have the gear down. As it passed off to his right, he saw the front wheel down and both main landing gears hanging. He then observed the airplane touch down on the left main landing gear first and subsequently skid off the runway to the right.
Post-Accident Inspection
The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector conducted a functional test of the landing gear system one day after the accident. The inspector observed the landing gear retracting, extending, and locking down into place several times. During two gear extension cycles, the inspector simulated an air load on the right main landing gear by pulling back on it as it extended; the gear extended and locked down properly without discrepancies.
Damage
The right elevator sustained substantial damage.