Baron 55/Cochise
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2.7; Flight Crew Total 1125.5; Flight Crew Type 208.5
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Evacuated
Aircraft
I departed late afternoon and made a normal flight to a nearby airport. For the return flight; I departed Runway 17R; made a left turnout and flew directly to my home airport. [I] was cleared by the Tower at my destination for right downwind visual approach to Runway 19. Approach was normal and landing checklist was completed; gear was verified in the down position with three green lights. The wind was within 10 degrees of runway heading at approximately 9 KTS with gusts to 15 KTS. Touchdown was normal. On rollout; the aircraft became uncontrollable; veering to the left. All attempts to keep the aircraft on the runway failed; and the aircraft skidded into the grass. At some point after touchdown; the left main gear folded; causing the left propeller; flap and wingtip to impact the terrain. When the aircraft came to a stop; I verified mixture levers were in the cutoff position; shut off the magnetos and master; put the fuel valves in the off position; and exited the aircraft. I made a verbal report to the Tower from a phone in the FBO.
During roll out after a normal landing; a BE-55 left main landing gear collapsed causing the aircraft to skid off the runway damaging the propeller; flap and wing tip but not injuring the pilot who evacuated the aircraft after securing it.