ATL02LA163

According to the pilot, while on an instrument flight the airplane loss electrical power. The pilot decided to land at the nearest airport. During the final approach to land, the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear manually but was unsuccessful. The pilot continued the approach to land on runway 29. During the landing roll the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway. Examination of the electrical system revealed that the alternator had failed. No other mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane.

On August 30, 2002, at 0925 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210L, N32W, registered to and operated by a private pilot had a gear collapse during a precautionary landing at Georgetown County Airport, Georgetown, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed South Jersey Regional Airport, South Jersey, New Jersey, at 0550.

The pilot reported while on an instrument flight he experienced a loss of electrical power. The pilot decided to land at the nearest airport. Approximately 20 miles from the airport the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear. The cockpit landing gear position lights indicated that the landing gear was not down and locked. An attempt by the pilot to use the manual gear pump to extend and lock the landing gear was unsuccessful. The pilot reported that when he attempted to extend the gear using the hand pump it became very difficult until he could not pump it any further. The landing gear did not fully extend into the down and lock position. The pilot continued the approach and landed the airplane on runway 29. During the landing roll the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded 50 feet off the left side of the runway and came to rest on the grass.

Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right wing tip. The right horizontal stabilizer was buckled and the spar was damaged. Examination of the electrical system revealed that the alternator failed, which resulted in a discharge of battery power.

The airplane was placed on jacks, and electrical power was supplied to the airplane. The gear handle was placed in the down position and the landing gear extended and locked. No other mechanical malfunctions were found with the airplane.