This December 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Twin Comanche; Location: Bridger, Mont.; Injuries: None; Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: As the pilot entered on the downwind leg at the destination airport he reduced the engine power and lowered the landing gear handle, but the landing gear did not extend. The pilot found that the circuit breaker had popped. He reset it and recycled the landing gear. This time the gear deployed. A green light indicated all three gear were down and locked. While on final approach, the pilot noted gusty wind conditions and that the airplane was descending faster than he wanted it to. He added power to arrest the sink rate and the airplane landed in a slightly nose-low attitude. The nose landing gear collapsed and the right propeller hit the ground, followed by the left propeller. Examination of the landing gear system found no evidence of a mechanical anomaly.
Probable cause: The collapse of the landing gear for undetermined reasons.
For more information: NTSB.gov
