NTSB Factual Report

On February 1, 2017, about 1410 Pacific standard time, a Beech 95-B55 airplane, N321BJ, experienced a landing gear failure shortly after takeoff from the Cameron Airpark (O61), Cameron Park, California. The pilot (sole occupant) was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed at about 1300.

The pilot reported that when he raised the landing gear shortly after takeoff, he heard a loud crunch when the gear entered the gear wells. The pilot climbed the airplane to about 3,000 feet and observed that the landing gear circuit breaker was popped and the alternator was off. The pilot attempted to extend the landing gear normally several times, however, the circuit breaker popped each time and the gear remained retracted. The pilot also attempted to use the emergency gear extension, however, to no avail. The airplane was landed with the landing gear retracted.