19990609024059A

(.19) On June 9, 1999, at 1158 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N5309P, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 16 at Plentywood, Montana. The private pilot-in-command and one passenger were not injured in the accident. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions existed, and that no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 local personal flight from Plentywood. The pilot reported that the green landing gear "down" indicator light did not illuminate until his third attempt to lower the landing gear. He stated that he got a green landing gear "down" indication on the third attempt. The pilot stated that after checking the airport wind sock (which he stated was indicating "south-southwest half limp") he elected to land on turf runway 16 (1,995 by 80 feet, according to the Montana department of aeronautics state airport directory) rather than paved runway 12 (3,900 by 75 feet). The pilot reported he landed with "the third notch of flaps" set and with an approach speed of 85 mph. He stated that "[a] couple hundred feet" after crossing the runway 16 threshold,"I thought I heard the mains touch so I eased the nose forward to pin it do wn and then the airplane was stopping awful fast and then the propeller stopped horizontally end it was bent back." The pilot reported winds at the time as being from 210 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 13 knots. (-23)on June 9, 1999 at 1200 mdr, a Piper PA-24-250, N5309P, while landing at Plentywood, Montana, was damaged when the landing gear was not extended and landing was made on grass runway. Flight was in VFR conditions. No flight plan filed for local area flight. The pilot reported having difficulty with the landing gear handle. He states he cycled it 3 times before getting the green lights on approach to land. The pilot states he felt the main tires touch so he eased the nose forward to plant the a/c on the ground when the a/c stopped rapidly and the propeller stopped horizontally and was bent back.