FTW98LA060

During the initial takeoff departure climb, the gear would not retract and the pilot returned to the airport where a mechanic examined the gear, serviced the struts, and performed a retraction test (gear were extended and retracted 3 consecutive times). Subsequently, the flight departed on the cross country flight with a planned refueling stop. During the approach, the gear would not extend. The pilot maneuvered in the area and performed the emergency gear extension procedures; however, the gear would not go beyond 1/2 extension. During the final approach to the runway, the pilot shut down the engine and the airplane landed short of the runway. The FAA inspector and a mechanic found that the 'slide tubes on the main gear had accumulated a lot of dirt causing some binding on their normal operation. This binding consistently caused the gear electric motor circuit breaker to pop.' The gear could be extended manually by the FAA inspector and the mechanic. Flight time since the last annual inspection was 57 hours.

On November 30, 1997, at 1842 central standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6661P, owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91, the gear collapsed while landing short of runway 35L at the Lubbock International Airport, Lubbock, Texas. The commercial pilot and the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane, operating on an IFR flight plan, encountered visual meteorological conditions prior to the accident. The flight departed San Antonio, Texas, at 1215.

During a personal interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, and on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that during the initial climb from San Antonio, the gear would not retract. He returned to the airport where a mechanic examined the gear, serviced the struts, and performed a retraction test (gear was extended and retracted 3 consecutive times). Subsequently, the flight departed San Antonio for Colorado Springs, Colorado. En route the flight encountered headwinds and the pilot decided to make a refueling stop at Lubbock. During the approach at Lubbock, the landing gear would not extend. The pilot maneuvered in the area and performed the emergency gear extension procedures for 2 hours trying to get the gear extended; however, it would not go beyond 1/2 extension. During the final approach to runway 35L, the pilot shut down the engine to try to save the propeller. The airplane landed short of the runway in soft terrain.

The FAA inspector and a mechanic examined the airplane at Lubbock. Structural damage occurred to the firewall, engine mounts, and fuselage. The mechanic, a previous owner of a PA-24-250 airplane, has over 20 years of maintenance experience working on equivalent equipment. The mechanic found that the "slide tubes on both the main gear had accumulated a lot of dirt causing some binding on their normal operation. This binding consistently caused the gear electric motor circuit breaker to pop." The gear could be extended manually by the FAA inspector and the mechanic.

A review of the maintenance records by the FAA inspector revealed that the last annual inspection was completed on April 30, 1997. Flight time since the annual inspection was 57 hours.