Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T210M near Pueblo, CO — 2011-05-21

Final reportCEN11LA357
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Date
2011-05-21
Location
Pueblo, CO, USA
Airport
PUB
Aircraft
CESSNA T210M
Registration
N6850B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

Failure of the landing gear to fully extend due to a failed o-ring in the nose gear actuator piston and a broken seal in the emergency landing gear extension system.

NTSB narrative

The pilot heard an unusual sound as he retracted the landing gear after takeoff and the amber gear warning light was illuminated. The pilot referenced the emergency procedures and made two unsuccessful attempts to manually extend the gear. After engaging the autopilot, the pilot then checked the hydraulic reservoir in the cockpit and it was empty. At the advice of an air traffic controller, the pilot added a quart of engine oil in the hydraulic reservoir and attempted another manual gear extension. The pilot was still unable to extend the gear. The pilot made a low pass by the control tower and a controller informed him that no landing gear were visible. The pilot then made a gear-up landing as directed by the Pilot Operating Handbook; however, according to airport personnel, the pilot landed with the nose gear down and the main landing gear retracted. The airplane skidded on its belly and the left horizontal stabilizer was damaged. According to a representative of the repair facility that fixed the airplane, an o-ring in the nose gear actuator piston had failed. In addition, a seal in the emergency extension system had also failed. Once the failed o-ring and seal were replaced, the landing gear functioned normally.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted to land immediately after gear warning light.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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