20100612039289A

On June 14, 2010, glba director of ops reported:this part 91 reposition flight was to be operated from den to cys it returned to land in den. The crew reported a normal preflight and takeoff to the flight, until they selected the gear up. When the gear handle was selected to up the crew heard a"loud bang" from the left side of the aircraft. The crew stated that the in-transit light remained illuminated. The crew brought the gear handle down and subsequently received "three green" landing gear down indication; however the landing gear in-transit light remained illuminated. The crew advised den ATC they wished to return but would like extended vectors, due to an unsafe gear indication. They declared an emergency with den ATC and performed the required checklists for the gear unsafe condition. Not knowing for sure which if any gear may be unsafe the crew briefed for a "normal" landing but prepared for one or more gear to fail. The flight touched down uneventful, but as the aircraft decelerated the left main gear partially collapsed. The crew secured the left engine and as the aircraft was stopped they secured the right engine. The crew secured the aircraft and then exited the aircraft through the main air-stair door. Den crash fire and rescue was following the aircraft and arrived as the crew exited the aircraft. The aircraft remained on the runway for several hours as den airport operations and great lakes aviation, ltd. employees worked to lift the aircraft, extend the left gear and replace the drag brace assembly. It appears the cause of the collapse of the left main landing gear was a failure of the arm of the drag leg assembly.