20230416009709A

Returning to land at Cable Airport with a passenger on 04/16/2023, the pilot reported that N38C'S landing gear position indicator lights did not indicate green (down and locked) as called for on the before landing checklist, but that the aircraft had previously demonstrated this issue. The pilot stated that he elected to go-around and flew the traffic pattern while completing the emergency gear extention checklist. The pilot stated that he "pumped" the landing gear down but still did not receive a green landing gear position light indication, but that he could believed the landing gear to be down and landing gear door or doors to be extended because of drag felt on controls of the airplane, wind noise, and physical aircraft feedback. The pilot elected to land in this condition. ADS-B data indicates that the aircraft flew a narrow, non-standard downwind and base traffic pattern, lining up on final approach right of runway 24. The pilot stated that he had adaquate power during landing to accomplish a go-around and that the aircraft was producing abnormal drag. The aircraft impacted the airport surface north and short of runway 24. As a result of impact, the airplane's left main and nose landing gear assemblies structurally failed, both engine propellers struck the ground, the left wing impacted the ground and was structurally deformed, and the airplane settled into a skid on its belly before coming to rest. Examination of the aircraft's landing gear by the assigned NTSB investigator found that "the left limit switch out of the three was not functioning properly," and that "for the main landing gear doors to close, all three [landing gear] limit switches must be in the closed position." The probable primary cause of the accident appears to be that "the airplane had suffered a significant impact." A preliminary report by the NTSB investigator found that "the nature of the landing was not coordinated, as the airplane failed to reach the runway, colliding to the FAR right of the centerline, and [made] a forceful impact." A witness stated that he "observed the aircraft enter a 30 degree bank to the left and [begin] descending in altitude," and that "just prior to the aircraft impacting the ground the aircraft appeared to change pitch upward slightly but maintained the 30 degree left bank until impact." The aircraft is believed to be structurtally sound in the condition described during the event, with the NTSB investigator finding that "during the operational testing of the landing gear system, all components operated as expected except for the defective left limit switch." Both occupants exited the aircraft after the event and reported no injuries. Investigation determined that the interior of the aircraft had been modified by removing panelining, vents, and placards, and also that only two occuopant seats were installed. The pilot stated during interview that he was having the interior of the aircraft replaced.