19960601017619I

Narrative: N6573P, PA24, reported possible gear problem inbound to owd @ 1620 EDT, 6/1/96. Gear appeared half down on approach, aircraft continued out and pilot attempted to crank gear down manually. On return to owd, aircraft performed low pass and gear appeared to be down. Gear collapsed on landing runway 35 @ 1656 EDT. No injury to the pilot, sole occupant. Aircraft damage minor. On site investigation, 6/1/96, damage to aircraft minor, propeller tips, cowl, exhaust stack, belly, antennas, flaps inboard lower trailing edges. The PIC, Mr. Bert j. molino, stated as above that gear failed in mid range and attempts to extend gear by emergency procedures appeared to be accomplished, but on landing the landing gear collapsed. Mr. Molino, stated he had left his pilot certificate and medical in his wallet that he did not have it on his person. I informed him that this may be a problem and an operations inspector from the FSDO may be in contact. I requested that he fax the copies to our office, he agreed. Through investigation with ray lawless (mech./IA) determined possible component failure of the landing gear and possible mismanagement of the emergency gear extension procedures. Requested the presents of FAA airworthiness inspector to witness gear operation to determine cause of malfunction. Aircraft was removed from r/w and tied down at eastern air center (owd). On return to FSDO, ran Mr. Molino for certificates & medical, no record found. 6/3/96, contacted airman registry for assistance in confirming certification of Mr. Molino, AFS-760, could not confirm any certification of Mr. Molino. I contacted michael dupont (mech./IA) @ tan, who knew Mr. Molino and informed me of another aircraft Mr. Molino owned (N5471W) that he just sold that aircraft to obtain PA-24 (N6573P), temp registration in aircraft for Mr. Molino and current until 6/13/96. Aircraft registry confirmed all information given to me by Mr. Molino for (N5471W). Mr. Molino contacted me at approx. 10:00 a.m. and informed me that he does not and never did have a pilots certificate or medical and he has been flying and owning aircraft for forty years and listed pa 28-160, 140, 180, (2) tripacers, CE177 and now PA-24. I informed him that I had reason to believe this was the situation as airman registry had no record of any certificates. Mr. Molino stated he was just too embarrassed to say anything becauseeveryone thought he was certificated. I informed Mr. Molino that this was a violation of the far's and an inspector from operations would be in contact with him regarding these developments. We discussed arrangements for the performance of a gear swing of the aircraft to determine the cause of the landing gear malfunction, this will be scheduled as soon as possible, most likely through August mazzella (mech./IA) at stol aircraft @ owd. All data for enforcement was turned over to operation unit supervisor. Gary clark for assignment of an operations ASI. Due to lack of man power witness of trouble shooting of probable cause unable to be accomplished with FAA involvement. Maintenance performed by mr. August mazzella mech./IA @ swift aviation services Norwood airport. He found failure of landing gear to extend due to gear motor internal short in armature. Motor is enclosed, so to inspect brushes you would have to fully disassemble the unit. Emergency extension failed because the spring which retracts the transmission shaft after the system is disconnected was not connected, allowing the shaft to wedge down under the retraction arm. Incident closed.