# NTSB CEN09LA417: Cessna T210L, N2118S, Santa Teresa, NM, July 1, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2009, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Teresa, NM
- Coordinates: 31.881111, -106.704719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8811&lon=-106.7047&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA417
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74221/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74221
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA417

## Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear accumulator seal for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to confirm the status of the landing gear.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Hydraulic power system: accumulator, main](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022911): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022911/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022911/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he lowered the landing gear handle on downwind to land and heard the gear cycle down. He told investigators that he could not recall if he saw green, gear down indicator lights. While in the landing flare he heard someone call "gear, gear" on the radio, but it was too late for him to go around. The left main gear collapsed on touchdown and the airplane exited the side of the runway, substantially damaging the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. No anomalies were found with the landing gear indicator lights during the post accident inspections. Following four additional gear malfunctions, the landing gear accumulator was found to leak, allowing air into the hydraulic system. The seals from the accumulator were not retained and the reason for the failure of the seals was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 2009, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T210L airplane, N2118S, was substantially damaged during landing at Dona Ana County Airport (5T6), Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The private pilot was not injured. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight originated at Cielo Dorado Estates Airport (TA50), El Paso, Texas, and was terminating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he lowered the landing gear handle on downwind to land and heard the gear cycle down. He told the investigator he could not recall if he saw green, gear down indicator lights. While in the landing flare he heard someone call "gear, gear" on the radio, but it was too late for him to go around. The left main gear collapsed on touchdown and the airplane exited the side of the runway. The pilot did not recall hearing the gear warning horn prior to landing. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. The right main and nose landing gear were found in a down and locked position and the left main was in the gear well. During initial inspection by FAA investigators the left landing gear did not extend fully and lock into position during manual extension, but the gear operated correctly and did lock down when hydraulic power was applied to the system. The hydraulic system was found to be properly serviced and the three gear indicator lights operated properly when the gear was extended and locked. The airplane was taken to a repair station and the landing gear was examined further. No abnormalities were found with the airplane at that time. The witness who made the radio call of “gear, gear” could not be located. In the months after the accident, and following the repairs to the airplane, the pilot had four additional landing gear malfunctions and failures to extend. He said he had to manually extend the gear during each instance. After the fourth occurrence, the nose gear up-lock actuator and the landing gear accumulator were removed and resealed. The seal in the landing gear accumulator was found to leak. The accumulator requires gaseous nitrogen or dry air. The seals from the accumulator were not retained by maintenance personnel and were not available for examination by investigators. The reason for the failure of the seals was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2118S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2118S), registered now, S/N 21061081, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061081
- Airframe hours: 3113
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Advanced Security Contractors Inc
- Registered owner: Advanced Security Contractors Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2009
- Departed: TA50, Cielo Dorado Es, TX
- Destination: 5T6, Santa Teresa, NM
- Airport: 5T6, Dona Ana County Airport, runway 28, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 848 total, 217 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 19 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 20090701011719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090701011719A), Jul 1, 2009: Cessna T210L, Santa Teresa, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 1, 2009, N2118S, a Cessna model CE-T210L aircraft with serial number 210610081 landed on runway 28 at the dona anna county airport (5T6) near…

## Other investigations on N2118S (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK79DVG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVG08), Dec 20, 1978: Cessna T210L (N2118S), Yuba City, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74221. 159 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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