The perfect timing for a gear failure

[Ernie Martin]

I'm sorry I didn't answer earlier (I was at the annual meeting in Lucaya and didn't focus on your message when I returned).

I have been having essentially the same problem, and in my case it's due to insufficient electrical power.

The key similarity to my case is that you popped the breaker and were likely at low engine power (and thus at low alternator output).

Basically, the powerpack has a huge apetite for power and needs both a healthy battery and lots of alternator output. For me, I'll pop the breaker if any of these two are present: low engine power or a weak battery (this last point is exacerbated in the summer).

I now religiously service the battery every couple of months (remove it, add distilled water, trickle charge), and I have a new entry in my landing checklist, just before gear down: RPM and MP to 25. Of course, you need to plan in your descent for this 15-second burst of power.

Since I've instituted these measures, no more problems.

Ernie