20030103001129A

(.19) On January 3, 2003, approximately 1815 central standard time, a Cessna 401 twin-engine airplane, N968JW, sustained substantial damage after it impacted a runway sign following loss of control after the main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll at the Mc Allen Miller International Airport (mfe), near Mc Allen, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by craftech enterprises inc., edinburg, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a defense visual flight rules (dvfr) flight plan was filed for the title 14 code of federal regulations part 91 business flight. The flight departed the huejotsingo airport, near puebla, Mexico, approximately 1600, and was destined for Mc Allen. The pilot reported that the airplane experienced an electrical problem approximately 35 nautical miles south of reynosa, Mexico (located 10 nautical miles south of Mc Allen). When the pilot crossed over reynosa, he attempted to electrically extend the landing gear; however, the landing gear did not extend. While on a right downwind for runway 13 at mfe, the pilot manually extended the landing gear, but did not receive three green annunciator lights that confirmed the landing gear was extended and locked. Without radio communications, the pilot was cleared to land via the air traffic control "steady green" light gun signal. During the landing rollout, the right and left main landing gear collapsed, the airplane exited the runway and struck a runway sign. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing and left aileron sustained substantial damage. (-23) when performing accident standby duty for san antonio flight standards district office on January 3, 2003 at approximately 18:30 CDT, I received a report that N968JW, Cessna model aircraft, landing gear had collapsed. It had struck a runway sign when landing at mcallen Texas. I consulted with traffic control Mr. Rubin lopez, and I was told there was no injuries, fire, or passengers. The airplane wing was damaged. It appeared that this may be an incident. I decided that since I was going to mcallen the following week, I would then be able to determine if this event was an accident/incident. On January 8, 2003 I interviewed the pilot of N968JW at edinburg Texas. The aircraft was owned by craft tech enterprises, who in turn is owned by iasco (Mr. Chuck stewart). The aircraft is currently used on FAR part 135 certificate (hkqa). The pilot, Mr. Tomas perez, comm pilot 457513336, stated that he was on a FAR part 91 flight. He was returning with no passengers, to mcallen TX after delivering the family of Mr. Stewart to puebla, mex. While passing above reynosa mex, the pilot had indication of major battery/electrical failure. He radioed this, and requested emergency landing procedures at mcallen airport. During his approach the pilot lowered the landing gear by using the hand crank. He noted in the inspection mirror that the nose gear appeared to be down. He did not have the green light confirming the gear was down and locked. He touched down and felt the right gear begin to collapse. He jerked the column up and was able to lock the right gear. However not the left gear began to collapse. He did not have sufficient airspeed remaining to lock the left gear. At this point he went off the runway, striking an airport sign. It appeared the landing gear was not cranked to the full down and locked position. I reviewed the aircraft logbooks. I found theaircraft inspections to be current. However I noted that the main voltage regulator was replaced a short time before the flight. I copied this aircraft record. I also noted that the add-a-log form of the right engine was not correctly entered, and I verbally counseled the owner. On January 9, 2003 I photographed the condition of N968JW at mcallen Texas. It was upright with the landing gear manually locked. The left wing had severe damage to the leading edge that penetrated the sheet metal between the spar angles. The lower side of the wing exhibited tears and wrinkles that included the trailing edge spar. The left aileron was severely bent and would require replacement. The left landing gear door panel was dented in a manner that confirmed the landing gear was extended and then collapsed. I evaluated the wing damage, and I decided to up-grade the incident to accident status. I then called NTSB and reported my finding. The owner did not appear to take immediate repair action. At this time, I was unable to determine the exact cause of the landing gear failure. I notified FAA iasco FAA principal maintenance inspector terry walker of the aircraft's condition, and he agreed to report what failed during the trouble shooting findings, when the owner is able to repair the aircraft.