Amateur-built Lancair 320 N456 incident near Hillsboro, Oregon

Probable cause

The malfunction of the airplane's battery and alternator that resulted in the failure of the landing gear to extend and lock in place.

NTSB analysis

While in cruise flight, the airplane lost electrical power. The pilot went through emergency procedures to conserve electrical power, and returned to the airport. He attempted to extend the electrically operated landing gear, but only heard the right main gear come down and lock. There was no emergency gear extension system available on the airplane. Air traffic controllers in the airport tower later confirmed that the gear did not appear to be in the normal down and locked position. The pilot landed on runway 30, the nose and left main gear collapsed, and the right main gear snapped off. The airplane went off the left side of the runway onto the grass, shearing off an intersection marker and causing substantial damage to the wing spar. Postaccident examination revealed that the battery had a dead cell, and the alternator had several discrepancies.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08IA093 for the full record.