Amateur-built 320 N52WL accident near Bolivar, Missouri

Probable cause

Inadequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a lack of adequate hydraulic fluid, malfunction of the landing gear extension system, and the landing gear collapse on landing.

NTSB analysis

While on approach for landing, the pilot activated the experimental airplane's landing gear extension switch and noticed that the right main landing gear indicator light was not illuminated. He recycled the landing gear, checked the circuit breaker, and performed an emergency landing gear extension; however, the right main landing gear did not extend. During the landing, the right wing contacted the runway and terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed that the hydraulic fluid reservoir contained a minimal amount of fluid. No visual leaks were noted with the hydraulic system. The reservoir tank was located aft of the firewall and was not visible during a pre-flight inspection due to fuselage structure. The airplane's annual condition inspection was expired; the pilot stated that he knew the inspection was out of date and was working on completing the inspection.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19TA333 for the full record.