# NTSB DEN89LA199: Cessna T210F, N6121R, Englewood, CO, August 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1989, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.57941, -104.860893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5794&lon=-104.8609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA199

## Probable cause

A FAILURE IN THE HYRDRAULIC POWER UNIT, WHICH PREVENTED OPERATION OF EITHER THE NORMAL OR EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEMS.  THE RAISED RUNWAY LIP CONTRIBUTED TO AIRCRAFT DAMAGE AND PILOT INJURY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - hydraulic system - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - inoperative
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible
  - wheels up landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) & DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING SIMULATED INSTRUMENT APCHS. DRG AN APCH, THE LANDING GEAR FAILED TO EXTEND. THE PILOTS WERE UNABLE TO EXTEND THE GEAR BY USING EITHER THE NORMAL OR EMERGENCY SYSTEMS. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN APCH WAS MADE TO RWY 17 FOR A WHEELS UP LANDING. TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS OF SPARKS & FIRE, THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND THE ACFT ON DIRT, SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD, THEN ALLOW THE ACFT TO SKID ONTO THE PAVED RWY. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNAWARE OF A 6 INCH LIP AT THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE CFI RPRTD THAT DRG THE WHEELS UP LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK THE RAISED LIP, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD IMPACT. THE CFI RECEIVED A COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF HIS BACK. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT REVEALED A 'LEE PLUG' HAD 'BLOWN OUT.'  WITH THE PLUG OUT, NO ENG DRIVEN OR EMERGENCY PUMP PRESSURE COULD HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO THE GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6121R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6121R-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N T210-0021, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210F
- Registry model: [Cessna T210F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210f) (registry code 2073422) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T210-0021
- Airframe hours: 2292
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon Vaughn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1989
- Departed: APA
- Destination: APA
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17, 7,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,386 total, 2,204 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890824031539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890824031539A), Aug 24, 1989: Cessna T210F, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. IFR dual. Gear failed extend for landing. Tried land on grass short. Hit runway lip. Hydraulic pump plug blew.

## Other investigations on N6121R (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 FTW70FRD03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70FRD03), Feb 22, 1970: Cessna 210 (N6121R), Melville, LA, substantial damage

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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