# NTSB ATL93LA164: Cessna 210, N9640T, Smyrna, TN, September 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1993, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Smyrna, TN
- Coordinates: 35.980983, -86.510337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9810&lon=-86.5103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA164

## Probable cause

The inadequate maintenance of the taxiway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff
  - runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHEN THE AIRPLANE TAXIIED OVER A BROKEN DRAINAGE GRATE ON THE TAXIWAY, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, CAUSING THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND RIGHT WING TIP TO STRIKE THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 1993, at 1715 central daylight time, a Cessna 210, N9640T was substantially damaged following a collision with an object during taxi operations at the Smyrna, Tennessee Airport. The commercial pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight to Gadsden, Alabama.

The pilot reported that during the taxi for departure, the right main landing gear crossed over a drain sewer manhole cover. The cover broke, and the right landing gear fell through the hole. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right horizontal stabilizer and the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest on its right side.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9640T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9640T), registered now, S/N 57440, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57440
- Airframe hours: 2124
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul A. Dunlap
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1993, 7 hours before
- Departed: MQY
- Destination: GAD, GADSDEN, AL
- Airport: MQY, Smyrna

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 908 total, 290 in this make and model, 717 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MQY

## 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 19930928037179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930928037179A), Sep 28, 1993: Cessna 210, Smyrna, TN, Substantial damage. Taxied over broken drain grate collapsed right main gear. Wing tip and stabiler hit ground.

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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