20240125000369I

The aircraft was observed by several witnesses on final approach to runway 4 with the landing gear stowed. Witnesses stated they saw the aircraft contact the runway. Immediately afterwards, it lifted and the landing gear was extended as the aircraft quickly descended back to the runway. The nose and left main landing gear remained down. The right main landing gear collapsed back to the retracted position. The aircraft began a left turn and departed the runway into the grass. The aircraft slid approximately 170 yards until coming to rest on taxiway 4C.

Damage was observed on both propellors from contact with runway during landing. White paint transfer from the belly of the aircraft to the runway observed and a piece of antenna was retrieved from a point just past the location where the belly of the aircraft contacted the runway. The left flap has damage on the inboard underside from contact with runway. The belly of the aircraft has damage aft of the main wings and left of centerline from runaway contact. The main landing gear doors on the left and right side have damage to the outside aft portion.

All four blades of both propellors were damaged but intact. The damage was isolated to approximately the last four inches each propellor blade. The blades were curled backwards towards the engine with gouges horizontal and diagonal gouges indicating power on during runway contact. The left propellor has damage to the pitch control assembly inside the propellor hub.

The flaps were observed to be in the approach position. There is impact damage on the right wingtip from impacting a runway light. There was no other damage observed on the right wing. All flight controls and the right flap appeared to be intact.

The pilot stated that once he received clearance to runway 4 he followed the checklist and visually confirmed that he had green lights indicating the wheels were down and locked. He stated that shortly after touching down he heard a crunching noise from the right side and the right main gear began to collapse. The aircraft began to rotate to the right so he increased the power to the right engine. The aircraft began turning left and he could not stop it from turning. When asked why the flaps were in the approach position the pilot stated that he raised them prior to exiting the aircraft to prevent them from further damage.

The damage is inconsistent with the pilot’s statement. The damage incurred to the left propellor, flap, belly and left landing gear doors could not have occurred if the landing gear had been down during landing. The distance between the left propellor blades and the ground was approximately two feet at the accident site with the aircraft resting on the remaining down and locked landing gear. The right flap is undamaged and was approximately one inch from the ground in the approach position at the accident site with the aircraft resting on the collapsed gear. If the flaps were fully extended as stated by the pilot, the right flap would have been damaged and in contact with the ground.

Pilot is out of country and not available to provide the information to complete section 31. Will complete upon his return.

4/1/2024 -Completed pilot information in section 31.