Baron 55/Cochise
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 383; Flight Crew Type 41
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Evacuated; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I flew; as pilot in command with clearance under an IFR flight plan. One non-pilot passenger was on board.While in contact with [the arrival airport] Tower; I reported final approach approximately 4 miles from the runway. I was then cleared to land. The weather was clear and sunny with winds out of the north at 6 knots. I performed the GUMPPS checklist and continued my descent. On short final; I performed the GUMPPS checklist a second time and confirmed; among the other checklist items; that the gear deployment switch was in the proper position. I do not recall whether the single green light gear down indicator was illuminated. I glanced at the mirror mounted on the left wing to confirm that the nose gear was down. It appeared down.The landing was comfortably set up and standard until touchdown from flare. Things felt normal during touchdown; however; I realized something was wrong as the plane sank and the props hit the pavement. Smoke filled the cockpit. I maneuvered the plane to a complete stop then quickly opened the front door and unbuckled the belt so my passenger could exit the plane. I followed shortly thereafter as help arrived.[A local man] arrived in a pickup truck where the plane came to rest on the runway to provide assistance. He indicated that he had watched the landing and 'everything seemed normal with landing gear down; center of runway; normal sounds; etc.' The plane sustained obvious damage to the props and underside. It was later removed from the runway and transported to a nearby location.
The reporter indicated that the aircraft was a rental and that the cause of the collapse is unknown.
The pilot of a Beech Baron reported a landing gear collapse during touchdown.