# NTSB CHI08CA092: Cessna 210N, N4943U, Cincinnati, OH, March 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 20, 2008, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Cincinnati, OH - Coordinates: 39.246665, -84.388885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2467&lon=-84.3889&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 April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Cincinnati FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67866/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to operate the airplane with a "dead" battery contrary to guidance provided by the Pilot's Operating Handbook. An additional cause was the pilot's failure to verify that the landing gear was fully down and locked prior to landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to properly service the battery prior to the flight and the subsequent loss of all electrical power, which rendered that normal gear extension system inoperative. ## 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 · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073453), [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 210N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had not flown the airplane over the winter and the battery had lost its charge. The engine was started with the assistance of ground power. After engine start-up, the alternator output indicated 29 volts, battery voltage indicated zero, and the ammeter showed that the battery was charging.The pilot reported that upon raising the landing gear and flaps after liftoff, "immediately all electrical power went out." The pilot elected to remain in the traffic pattern and return for an immediate landing. He lowered the landing gear handle. However, due to what he perceived as an urgent situation and the attention required by other traffic in the vicinity, he did not use the emergency gear extension procedure to insure that the landing gear was fully down and locked. Upon landing, the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left horizontal stabilizer sustained skin and sub-structure damage. A post accident inspection revealed that the battery had little or no electrolyte in it. Battery output was 8.3 volts, with no indication of electrical current. The alternators and voltage regulators were tested. No anomalies with the function of the alternators or regulators were observed. The airplane was equipped with a 28-volt dual-alternator electrical system. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) stated that "use of the ground service plug receptacle for starting an airplane with a 'dead' battery or charging a 'dead' battery in the airplane is not recommended." It added that a "failure to observe this precaution could result in loss of electrical power during flight." Landing gear extension and retraction is controlled by an electric motor, which provided hydraulic pressure to actuate the gear. Loss of electrical power prevented operation of the motor and required that the landing gear be extended manually. The pilot commented that the accident may have been prevented by inspecting the battery fluid level prior to the flight because the airplane had been tied down all winter. ## Factual narrative The pilot planned a local flight in order to checkout some recent maintenance work and to charge the battery. He added that the airplane had not been flown over the winter and the battery had lost its charge. The engine was started with the assistance of ground power. After start-up, both alternator out lights on the instrument panel went out indicating to him that they were both on-line. The airplane was equipped with a 28-volt, dual alternator electrical system. The alternator output indicated 29 volts, battery voltage indicated zero, and the ammeter showed that the battery was charging. He conducted the pre-takeoff run-up in accordance with the checklist. All radios and the global positioning system receiver were on and functioning normally prior to takeoff. The pilot reported that at liftoff he raised the landing gear handle, pulled the flap lever up, and reduced to climb power. He reported that "immediately all electrical power went out." The pilot elected to remain in the traffic pattern and return for an immediate landing. He lowered the landing gear handle. However, due to what he perceived as an urgent situation and the attention required by other traffic in the vicinity, he did not use the emergency gear extension procedure to insure that the landing gear was fully down and locked. Upon landing on runway 24 (3,499 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane departed the left side of the runway before coming to rest. The left horizontal stabilizer sustained skin and sub-structure damage. A post accident inspection revealed that the battery had little or no electrolyte in it. Battery output was measured at 8.3 volts, with no indication of electrical current. The alternators and voltage regulators were tested under direct supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration. No anomalies with the function of the alternators or regulators were observed. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) stated that "use of the ground service plug receptacle for starting an airplane with a 'dead' battery or charging a 'dead' battery in the airplane is not recommended." The POH added that a "failure to observe this precaution could result in loss of electrical power during flight." Landing gear extension and retraction is controlled by an electric motor, which provided hydraulic pressure to actuate the gear. Loss of electrical power prevented operation of the motor and required that the landing gear be extended manually. The pilot commented that the accident may have been prevented by inspecting the battery fluid level prior to the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4943U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4943U-2011-03-09), registration cancelled 2011-03-09, S/N 21064842, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210N - Registry model: [Cessna 210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210n) (registry code 2073453) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21064842 - Airframe hours: 3055 - Engines: Continental IO-520-L13 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007 - Departed: ISZ, Cincinnati, OH - Airport: ISZ, Cincinnati-Blue Ash, runway 24, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,353 total, 214 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: LUK, 9 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 20080320832569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080320832569A), Mar 20, 2008: Cessna 210N, Cincinnati, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed from runway 24 at Blue ash airport at approximately 1510 local time. Upon making the first turn in the traffic pattern, pilot noticed that… 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.