20260416007419I

During cruise flight, the pilot noticed the airspeed was decaying and the aircraft required increasing right rudder to maintain coordinated flight. The pilot elected to divert and assess the aircraft on the ground. During approach to the divert airfield the pilot selected landing gear down, however the landing gear failed to extend normally and the pilot does not recall seeing the landing gear position indicator lights or hearing the hydraulic pump. The pilot flew around the traffic pattern several times to troubleshoot the landing gear. The pilot also attempted an emergency extension while in the traffic pattern. It was uknown to the pilot if the landing gear had successfully locked in the down position. At this point the pilot also reported that engine RPM began to fluxuate. This prompted an immediate landing prior to confirming the landing gear was down and locked. Upon touchdown on the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft veered to the left. The aircraft ran off the left edge of the runway into grass. Upon entering the grass, the right main landing gear also collapsed. The aircraft stopped a short distance off the left edge of the runway on its belly with both main landing gear collapsed. All 4 propeller blades, both wingtips, the belly, and the tailwheel area sustained damage. The pilot was uninjured. The aircraft was lifted from the ground using a tractor and the main landing gear was manually extended and locked. The aircraft was then towed into a hangar for storage. The cause of the landing gear failure and RPM fluxuation is yet to be determined.