N71VTBeech 200 · 1980

The pilot of the multi-engine, retractable landing gear airplane reported that, shortly after departure, the airplane had several electrical malfunctions. Despite multiple trouble shooting attempts the electrical malfunctions persisted and he elected to return to the departure airport. While on final approach to land, he lowered the landing gear lever, but the landing gear did not extend. He then tried to extend the landing gear utilizing the emergency gear extension procedure to no avail and elected to land the airplane with the landing gear retracted.

The pilot further reported that, he could have missed a checklist item that led to the loss of electrical power. Additionally, he did recall that he did not monitor the electrical load meter during the accident flight and did not notice if the battery ran down.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that could have precluded normal operation.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that, the fuselage aft of the nose landing gear was substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the landing gear and electrical systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s 28-volt battery was disconnected, removed and when tested, it showed 20-volts in a discharged state. A fully charged 28-volt battery was substituted for a ground check of the airplane’s systems, which included the instrument panel with no anomalies revealed.