# NTSB CEN09IA057: Cessna T210N, N6267Y, Lubbock, TX, November 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: November 9, 2008, 14:06 local (20:06 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.658054, -101.820274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6581&lon=-101.8203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA, Teledyne Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 69435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09IA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69435/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69435 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA057 ## Probable cause An unidentified anomaly within the airplane's electrical system. Contributing to the incident was the pilot's failure to manually extend the landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff and after raising the landing gear, the electrical components on the airplane started shorting out. The pilot heard "electrical noises" in his headset and smoke entered the cockpit. The pilot turned off nonessential electrical items, declared an emergency with air traffic control, and returned to land. During the approach he cycled the master switch off, then back on, to lower the flaps and gear. He placed the landing gear lever down, but did not attempt to manually lower the gear. During landing the landing gear collapsed, resulting in a scraped underbelly, which was initially reported as substantial damage. The airplane had a previous history of electrical malfunctions and anomalies after a global positioning navigation system was installed in the airplane. After the incident, repairs were made to remove excessive electrical wiring, correct multiple wire splices, reroute wiring, and replace bad connector pins. The source of the electrical anomalies could not be determined. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 9, 2008, at 1406 central standard time, a Cessna T210N, N6267Y, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained minor damage when the landing gear collapsed during an emergency landing following a partial loss of electrical power at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), Lubbock, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The cross-country flight was departing LBB and was en route to Clovis Municipal Airport (CVN), Clovis, New Mexico. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, after raising the landing gear, electrical components on the airplane started shorting out and he heard "electrical noises" in his headset. Smoke also entered the cockpit. He turned off non-essential electrical items, declared an emergency with air traffic control (ATC), and returned to land. During the approach he cycled the master switch off, then back on to lower the flaps and gear. He placed the landing gear lever down, but did not attempt to manually lower the gear. During landing the landing gear collapsed. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 28, held commercial and instructor pilot certificates with a ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, instrument airplane, instructor single-engine land and instructor multi-engine land. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical was issued May 22, 2008, without limitations. The pilot indicated on his last application for medical certification, dated May 22, 2008, that he had 870 total flight hours and had accumulated 300 hours in the preceding six months. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 1981-model Cessna T210N, serial number 21064313, was a high wing airplane, with retractable gear, and was configured for six occupants. The airplane was powered by a turbo shaft, fuel injected, air-cooled, six cylinder reciprocating engine. The engine was a Continental TSIO-520, rated at 300 horsepower, and was driving a two-bladed propeller. The last engine and airframe inspections were of annual type, completed on November 29, 2007, with 1,852.6 hours tachometer and total airframe time. The airplane had accumulated 1,902 total hours at the time of the accident. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane landed and came to rest on the runway. Initial examination of the airplane revealed the airplane belly had scrape marks and a lower bulkhead may have been damaged. Later examination revealed the bulkhead was not damaged. This incident was initially reported as an accident due to the suspected substantial damage, but was later downgraded to an incident. Examination of the airplane by FAA investigators revealed the engine starter showed signs of overheating and was removed for evaluation. TEST AND RESEARCH The engine starter was sent to Teledyne Continental Motors for examination under the supervision of NationalTransportation Safety Board personnel. The starter was disassembled and the internal components exhibited extensive heat damage. No determination as to the cause of the damage could be made. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The airplane owner and the pilot stated the airplane exhibited various electrical problems after a Garmin GNS 430W unit was installed in the airplane by Tradewinds Aircraft Service Center, Amarillo, Texas, on May 30, 2008. Per the owner, the problems were: 1. Replaced two or three alternators. 2. Strobe blinking, feedback from communications frequencies, gear motor, and alternator cycling heard through headsets. 3. Alternator red light for low charge would illuminate with the strobes and navigation lights on. 4. The slaved gyro would not stay slaved. After the incident the airplane was sent to a different repair station to address those problems. The repair station removed unused wiring from the avionics which were no longer required when the Garmin 430W unit was installed. Excessive wiring butt splices under the pilot's instrument panel were removed and repaired, all Garmin GNS 430W wiring was checked and some was rerouted. Several connector pins were found loose and were repaired. After the repairs the airplane electrical system operated normally. The repairs were completed without the investigator's knowledge after the airplane had been released, so oversight of the repairs was not possible. All wiring removed from the airplane was disposed of without being examined by investigators. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6267Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6267Y), registered now, S/N 21064313, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N - Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21064313 - Airframe hours: 1902 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 2007, 49 hours before - Departed: LBB, Lubbock, TX - Destination: CVN, Clovis Municipa, NM - Airport: LBB, Lubbock Preston Smith Int'l, runway 17R, 11,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KLBB ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20081109851349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081109851349I), Nov 9, 2008: Cessna T210N, Lubbock, TX, Minor damage. (-23)On November 11, 2008, the pilot operating N6267Y, a Cessna CE-210-N aircraft, departed runway 17R at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69435. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 668 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Documents (item 4, .PDF, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Documents-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.