Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot in command to follow manual gear extension procedures. A factor was a total electrical failure.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While en route on a cross country flight, the aircraft electrical system failed. As a result, when the pilot put the landing gear down he had no gear lights. He stated that the manual system appeared to be in the proper position for the gear to be down and locked, but during landing roll, he had difficulty in maintaining directional control and the landing gear collapsed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 8, 1993, at 1150 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N8967P, landed gear up at Walker Field, Grand Junction, Colorado. The commercial pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured; however, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight from Animas Air Park, Durango, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the information provided by the pilot on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he had previous problems with the electrical system, which he had corrected prior to the flight; however, he reported the electrical system failed while en route. He further reported that he had no gear lights and it appeared that the manual gear indicator was in the proper position to show the gear was down and locked. The pilot did not go through manual gear extension procedures. During landing roll, he had difficulty with directional control and the landing gear collapsed. No information is available as to the cause of the electrical failure. -