Skywagon 185
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 184; Flight Crew Total 9077; Flight Crew Type 850
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
Enroute I noticed the main gear up lights were not illuminated. I proceeded to cycle the gear up; after which; all gear up and locked lights came on. As I neared the destination which was to be a water landing I again noticed the main gear up lights not illuminated. I attempted to cycle and pump the main gear up by hand but seemed to not have any pressure on the hydraulic pump and could not get the lights to come on or get the gear up. The main gear were now visible in the mirrors. I decided to return and land suspecting loss of hydraulic fluid. On arrival and selecting gear down there was no response. The nose gear were up and locked; there was no indication of the main gear being up or down and locked but they were visibly down in the mirrors. I opted to land on the smoother and wider taxiway as opposed to the runway which was bordered by water on one side and a ditch on the other. On touchdown the right main gear collapsed into the well causing minor damage to the float keel on that side. No one was injured.
C185 Captain noted that the landing gear of his float equipped aircraft would not remain retracted and elected to return to the departure airport for landing on a paved taxiway. On touchdown the right main gear collapsed.