# NTSB CEN24LA018: Cessna 210B, N9597X, Pueblo, CO, October 18, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 18, 2023, 17:36 local (23:36 UTC) - Place: Pueblo, CO - Coordinates: 38.289947, -104.49802 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2899&lon=-104.4980&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA018 ## Probable cause The fatigue failure of the right main landing gear hydraulic actuator, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid that prevented the pilot from lowering the landing gear to the fully extended position. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing gear retraction after takeoff, he heard a “pop” from the rear cockpit area, and the landing gear retraction handle did not return to the center position as expected. He attempted to extend the landing gear, but they would not extend. He performed the emergency extension procedures; the landing gear doors opened, and the landing gear came out of their respective landing gear wells. However, only the nose landing gear locked into the down position, and the main landing gear remained partially extended. During the landing, the airplane skidded to a stop and incurred substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane found the right hydraulic actuator had a fatigue crack that initiated along the retaining ring groove of the actuator that rendered the actuator inoperable and resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid from the system. Due to the loss of fluid, neither the primary system nor the emergency system could lower and lock all the landing gear in place for landing. ## Factual narrative On October 18, 2023, about 1736 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 210B airplane, N9597X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pueblo, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during landing gear retraction after takeoff, he heard a “pop” from the rear cockpit area, and the landing gear retraction handle did not return to the center position as expected. He attempted to extend the landing gear, but they would not extend. He performed the emergency extension procedures; the landing gear doors opened, and the landing gear came out of their respective landing gear wells. However, only the nose landing gear locked into the down position, and the main landing gear remained partially extended. The pilot contacted the Pueblo Municipal Airport (PUB), Pueblo, Colorado, airport traffic control tower and chose to remain airborne for several hours to burn off fuel. The pilot made multiple additional attempts to lower the landing gear. These were unsuccessful, and the pilot eventually landed on runway 8R at PUB. During the landing, the nose landing gear remained in the down position and the main landing gear were in a partially extended position. The airplane skidded to a stop and incurred substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right hydraulic actuator was fractured. The actuator was further examined by the NTSB Materials Laboratory. This examination revealed features consistent with fatigue cracking initiating along the retaining ring groove of the actuator, the remainder of the cross-section fracturing from mixed overstress and fatigue once the fatigue crack grew to its terminal size, and the housing barrel then fracturing in overstress. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9597X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9597X), registered now, S/N 21057897 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210B - Registry model: [Cessna 210B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210b) (registry code 2073410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21057897 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 3279 - Engines: Continental IO-470-S1 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2023 - Departed: KPUB, Pueblo, CO - Destination: KLHX, La Junta, CO - Airport: PUB, Pueblo Memorial Airport, runway 08R, 10,498 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,818 total, 418 in this make and model, 1,546 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KPUB - METAR: METAR KPUB 182253Z 13006KT 10SM CLR 21/M01 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP152 T02061011= ## 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 20231018019539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231018019539A), Oct 18, 2023: Cessna 210B, Pueblo, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that when he retracted the gear, there was a loud "pop" in the cockpit comning from under the rear passenger area, and the gear handle did not… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193285. 11.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18282082&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA018%20-%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18282152&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA018%20-%20WITNESS%20-%20Donaldson,%20Ronald%20A._Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 686 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18277613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA018%20-%20PHOTOS%20-%20Photo%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Materials laboratory factual report (item 4, PDF, 22 pages, 28 photos, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16948603&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=24-006%20-%20Materials%20Lab%20Factual%20Report%20(CEN24LA018)-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18282277&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA018%20-%20EVIDENCE_Redacted-Rel.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.