FTW98LA153

Following a series of touch and go landings, the airplane was destroyed following an inadvertent gear up landing. The airplane slid approximately 450 feet before coming to a stop. A post impact fire erupted in the area of the fuel gascolator. The gear was found secured in the up and locked position. A review of maintenance records, not destroyed by the fire, did not reveal any uncorrected maintenance discrepancies with the gear system. It was a practice of the pilot to leave the landing gear extended and retract the flaps after becoming airborne on the touch and go landings. The pilot did not recall touching the gear handle after extending the gear on the first landing.

On March 21, 1998, at 1430 central standard time, a Globe GC-1B airplane, N80556, was destroyed following a gear up landing at the Lancaster Municipal Airport, Lancaster, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that departed Jacksonville, Texas, at 1345. A flight plan was not filed.

During personal interviews conducted by the FAA inspector, witnesses and the pilot reported that the aircraft landed on runway 31 with the gear retracted and slid approximately 450 feet before coming to a stop. A post impact fire erupted in the area of the fuel gascolator, at the firewall, and the cockpit, cabin areas, and wings were destroyed by the fire. The FAA inspector, who examined the aircraft, found the gear secured in the up and locked position. Major portions of the maintenance records were destroyed by the fire.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the pilot stated that upon arriving at the Lancaster Airport "two landings were made remaining in pattern before the final landing. It is operator's [pilot's] practice, when in pattern for landing practice to leave [the] gear extended and retracting [the] flaps after well airborne on go around. The gear was checked down on final with 2 green li[gh]tes. The gear apparently retracted just before touchdown. I do not recall touching the gear handle after extending the gear on first landing."

The aircraft was recovered to Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas. On March 26, 1998, the gear system was examined under the surveillance of the IIC. The gear was found in the up and locked position.

During telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported previous gear discrepancies. The pilot submitted an inspection log sheet for January 2, 1997, correcting a landing gear malfunction. The last annual inspection was performed on February 19, 1998, and the airplane had flown 10 hours since that inspection. The pilot reported that the mechanic had removed the right main landing gear assembly on March 11, 1998, due to overload of the pump motor circuits caused by binding of the pivot tube and bushings. The tubes were cleaned and reinstalled with lubricant and the landing gear system operated though out numerous cycles and emergency test.

During telephone interviews, conducted by the IIC, and on the enclosed statement, the mechanic reported that in March 1998, the landing gear pump motor circuit breaker tripped during gear retraction. The landing gear continued up after resetting the circuit breaker, but reoccurred each time the gear was cycled up or down. The mechanic was able to duplicate the problem. The right hand gear assembly was binding at mid-travel and causing an overload of the pump motor circuit. The discrepancy was corrected.

On March 21, 1998, the pilot informed the mechanic that he had crashed the aircraft, that the landing gear had been working, and that he had forgotten to put the gear down while executing touch and go maneuvers.