N15723

On December 1, 2002, at 1138 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N15723, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed while landing on runway 18 (5,500 feet by 100 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Clark County Airport (JVY), Jeffersonville, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight departed the Bowman Field Airport (LOU), Louisville, Kentucky, at 1045.

According to the pilot's written statement, when he selected 'gear down' the in-transit light illuminated and when the landing gear had extended the three landing gear position lights illuminated. The pilot reported the in-transit light did not remain illuminated after the landing gear had extended. The pilot stated there was "no gear warning indication or horn sounding." The pilot reported a normal landing was made and prior to the first taxiway both main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated when the main landing gear collapsed the in-transit light illuminated and landing gear warning horn sounded. The aircraft came to rest at the intersection of runways 18 and 32. The pilot reported the three landing gear position lights remained illuminated after the aircraft came to rest.

The airplane was elevated for an operational test of the landing gear. During normal gear extension the nose and right main landing gear extended as designed. The left main landing gear extended approximately 3/4 down before becoming mechanically bound. The nose and right main landing gear position lights illuminated. The left main landing gear position light did not illuminate. The left main landing gear could be forced into the down-and-locked position and the gear position light would illuminate. The linkage between the left oleo strut assembly and the gear was corroded and dirt was present on the landing gear position switches. The linkage was disconnected and the left main landing gear moved freely.