# NTSB ATL92LA174: Cessna 210M, N6979B, Smithfield, NC, September 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1992, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Smithfield, NC
- Coordinates: 35.499824, -78.340637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4998&lon=-78.3406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA174

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S  OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH  KNOWN ELECTRICAL DEFICIENCIES WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR HYDRAULIC POWERPACK. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO FOLLOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR LOWERING THE LANDING GEAR. FACTORS WERE AN INOPERATIVE ALTERNATOR AND A WEAK BATTERY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - electrical system,battery - output low (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S BATTERY WAS WEAK. HE REQUESTED AN ELECTRICAL BOOST FROM A LOCAL MECHANIC TO START THE ENGINE. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO RUN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE TAXIING TO THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNUP PROCEDURE WAS NORMAL. HE ALSO TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, BUT LEFT ONE COMMUNICATION RADIO ON. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY. THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT AND, WHILE EN ROUTE, HE ATTEMPTED MANUALLY TO LOWER THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, BUT FELT PRESSURE ON THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION HANDLE AND DECIDED TO DISCONTINUE THE EXTENSION  OPERATION. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AS THE RIGHT WING WAS LIFTED UP, DURING THE WRECKAGE RECOVERY PHASE, THE PILOT LOWERED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION HANDLE. EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT A DIODE IN THE ALTERNATOR  HAD SLIPPED FROM ITS NORMALLY INSTALLED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6979B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6979B), registered now, S/N 21062863, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210M
- Registry model: [Cessna 210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210m) (registry code 2073450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062863
- Airframe hours: 2860
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 L2 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Montague, Harvey L.
- Registered owner: Montague, Harvey L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1991, 138 hours before
- Departed: RW5, FUQUAY-VARINA, NC
- Destination: W27
- Airport: JNX, Johnston County, runway 3, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,795 total, 1,136 in this make and model, 1,795 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920902037419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920902037419A), Sep 2, 1992: Cessna 210M, Smithfield, NC, Substantial damage. Right main gear collapsed on rollout. Veered off side off runway. Electrical failure. Manually extended gear.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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