NTSB Factual Report

On November 2, 2005, approximately 1700 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N1959P, experienced a collapse of all three landing gear during the landing roll at Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma, Washington. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Pierce County Airport, Puyallup, Washington, about 15 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, after making contact with Tacoma Narrows Tower, and being cleared for a left base entry, he completed his before landing check and lowered the landing gear. He then tried to call the tower to report he was entering the base leg, but realized that his radio was not transmitting. The aircraft subsequently experienced a complete loss of electrical power, and the pilot was therefore unable to confirm the gear was down and locked, as the green Gear Down lights were unable to illuminate. The pilot then flew low over the runway until he felt the main wheels touch the runway surface, and then he executed a go-around. After completing the go-around, the pilot went around the pattern and executed what he thought was going to be a normal full stop landing. But just after the aircraft touched down, the landing gear folded back up into the wheel wells, and the aircraft skidded down the runway on its belly. The investigation later determined that the gear had not fully extended because of the loss of electrical power. It was also determined that although the aircraft's battery and alternator were capable of operating normally, the voltage regulating system had malfunctioned, thus allowing the battery to become almost fully discharged.

During the investigation, the pilot told the Investigator-In-charge that he now realized that he should not have trusted the gear to be fully down and locked just because he felt the tires touch the runway surface, but instead should have used the emergency gear extension system/sequence to make sure of their position and condition.

NTSB Probable Cause

The collapse of the landing gear due to the pilot's failure to use the emergency gear extension system after his aircraft experienced a complete loss of electrical power. Factors include the malfunction of the voltage regulating system, which lead to the almost total discharge of the battery.