WPR19LA139

The pilot reported that the approach for landing was uneventful, and he selected the landing gear lever to the extended position. When the airplane touched down, the landing gear collapsed. The landing gear circuit breaker was found in the out position during postaccident examination. The airplane was placed on jacks and a gear swing test was conducted. During the test, the electric motor that drove the landing gear was noted to be "weak"; gear retraction was slow and the gear would only partially extend. No other anomalies in the landing gear system were noted. The cockpit landing gear lever, landing gear indications, and warning audio functioned properly during the test; thus, the pilot should have been alerted to the partial extension of the landing gear.

On May 5, 2019, about 0820 Pacific daylight time, a Beech P35, N1510S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the approach was uneventful, and he selected the landing gear lever to the down position. When the airplane touched down, the landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to its underside. Additionally, the landing gear circuit breaker was observed to be in the out position. At a later date, the airplane was further examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic under the oversight of a FAA inspector. The airplane was placed on jacks and a landing gear swing was accomplished. The electrical motor that drove the landing gear to the extended and retracted position, was noted to be extremely weak and degraded. The motor would take an excessive time to retract and extend the gear. Furthermore, during gear extension, the gear would only partially extend. No other anomalies in the landing gear system were noted. The cockpit landing gear lever, landing gear indications, and warning audio were properly functioning.