BEECH A36

Full Narrative

On January 17, 2009, approximately 1900 mountain standard time, a Beech A36, N8074P, was substantially damaged after exiting the side of the runway 25 at the Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The local flight originated from FMN at 1850.

According to a statement provided by the pilot, the accident occurred on the sixth landing. After positioning the gear handle in the "DOWN" position, the pilot stated that the gear sequence sounded normal, but was "faster than normal." The three position lights did not activate, so the pilot radioed the control tower and requested a visual inspection of the landing gear. After performing a low approach, the tower controller responded that the landing gear appeared to be down. The pilot proceeded to land on runway 25. During the flare, the pilot did not receive the gear warning horn and after touchdown the gear collapsed. The airplane went off the right side of the runway. The airplane to a stop and the pilot was able to egress normally. The airplane's firewall and right wing sustained substantial damage.

A review of maintenance records revealed that on December 4, 2008, various maintenance action were perform on both main landing gears. An examination of the maintenance performed by an aircraft mechanic determined that the left main landing gear retract rod was installed incorrectly. The airplane accumulated 72.7 hours before the retraction rod failed on the accident flight. The landing gear transmission/motor limit switch was damaged and rendered inoperative.