Accident
On September 25, 2019, at 1335 central daylight time, a Lancair 320 airplane, registration N52WL, experienced a landing gear system malfunction while on approach to Bolivar Municipal Airport (M17), Bolivar, Missouri. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing during the landing.
Flight Details
The flight was operated by the pilot as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane had departed from Sparta/Fort McCoy Airport, Sparta, Wisconsin, at 1115, with a destination of M17.
Pilot Actions
According to the pilot, while on visual approach to M17, he activated the landing gear extension switch and noticed that the right main landing gear indication was not illuminated. He then recycled the landing gear, checked the landing gear circuit breaker, and performed an emergency landing gear extension. However, the right main landing gear did not extend. The pilot burned fuel for about one hour and subsequently landed on runway 18. During the landing, the right wing contacted the runway and terrain. The airplane came to rest upright.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that the hydraulic fluid reservoir contained a minimal amount of fluid. No visual leaks were noted in the hydraulic system. The reservoir tank was located aft of the firewall and was not visible during a pre-flight inspection due to fuselage structure. The most recent condition inspection was completed on January 12, 2017. The pilot stated that he knew the inspection was out of date and was working on getting the inspection completed.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Lancair 320, registration N52WL, owned and operated by the pilot.