N47423

On August 19, 1995, at 1640 central daylight time (all times in this report are central daylight time unless otherwise noted) a Piper PA-32R-300, N47423, sustained substantial damage following a gear up landing at Drake Field, near Fayetteville, Arkansas. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Panama City, Florida, at 1230. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight for which a VFR flight plan was filed.

According to witnesses at the airport, the pilot received an unsafe gear indication when he lowered the landing gear for landing. The pilot stated that he followed the emergency gear extension procedures but was unable to lower the right main landing gear. Witnesses observed the airplane perform a tower fly-by and low passes over the runway. The pilot elected to land on the grass to the east of the active runway with the nose and left main gear extended and the right main landing gear unlocked and partially extended.

According to witnesses and passengers aboard the airplane, the airplane touched down on the locked gears and the pilot managed to keep the right gear and wing off the ground until the airplane slowed down. The pilot estimated that the airplane "rolled and skidded for approximately 1,300 feet" prior to coming to a stop.

Post accident examination of the landing gear system by the owner's aircraft mechanic revealed that the failure of the right main landing gear to extend and lock was the result of the failure of the emergency gear extension valve (part number 67522-002).