WPR19LA201

During a cross-country flight in night visual meteorological conditions, the airplane began to lose electrical power, and the pilot diverted to the nearest airport. During the landing approach, the pilot extended the landing gear and flaps, and, although the gear position indicator lights did not illuminate, he felt that the airplane was in its normal landing configuration and continued the approach. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator contacted the runway upon landing, resulting in substantial damage. Examination revealed that the nose landing gear was extended and locked, but the main landing gear did not extend and lock. A functional test of the landing gear and the emergency gear extension system revealed no anomalies. It is likely that electrical power remaining was inadequate to fully extend and lock the landing gear. The alternator was bench-tested and revealed no anomalies. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of electrical power could not be determined.

On July 20, 2019, about 2345 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna R182 airplane, N3268C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near King City, California. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, about 30 minutes into the flight in night conditions, the airplane's avionics started shutting down. He attempted to power them back up, but they shut down again after a short time. He then observed a discharge indication on the ammeter and advised air traffic control. The controller subsequently provided vectors to the nearest airport and another pilot on the frequency turned on the pilot-operated runway lighting at the airport. During the approach for landing, the pilot lowered the landing gear lever to the down position and extended the wing flaps. The pilot stated he heard the landing gear extend and flaps deploy, and the airplane felt like it was in its normal landing configuration. He reported that, because he didn't want to lose sight of the runway, he elected not to use the emergency hand pump to ensure that the landing gear was down and locked. During the landing roll, the airplane felt “less maneuverable than normal” and came to a complete stop with the right wingtip and elevator contacting the runway. The airplane came to rest on the right side of the runway. The nose landing gear was in the down and locked position. Neither of the main landing gear were fully extended. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator sustained substantial damage. Examination of the landing gear and electrical systems revealed no anomalies. The landing gear extended and retracted normally, and the emergency landing gear extension system operated normally. The alternator was removed from the airplane and was undamaged. The alternator was placed on a test bench and operated continuously until it reached its normal operating temperature. The alternator produced electrical power and no anomalies were noted.