- Date
- May 8, 2007, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place
- Sulphur, LA
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N9461Cessna 210
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 31, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Case key
- 65754
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The collapsed of the right main landing gear for undetermined reasons.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The private pilot and flight instructor performed one touch-and-go and then proceeded around the traffic pattern for a second landing. Before touchdown the pilot and instructor reportedly verified the landing gear was extended by performing a visual check via a mirror mounted on the wing and also by observing the illuminated green landing gear light. Shortly after touchdown the right landing gear failed, and the right wing began to descend. The pilot attempted to "go-around" by applying full engine power. The pilot reported that the airplane "would not fly" and slid to a stop in grass near the runway. The pilot, flight instructor, and passenger exited the airplane unassisted. The airplane's right wing and right aileron sustained structural damage. The left main landing gear remained down and locked and was not affected. The reason for the collapse of the right main landing gear could not be determined.
Factual narrative
On May 8, 2007, about 1425 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 210 airplane, N9461, was substantially damaged while landing at the Southland Field Airport (UXL), near Sulphur, Louisiana. The flight instructor, the private pilot receiving instruction, and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to Smooth Air LLC., and was being operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from UXL at 1230.
According to statements provided by the 63-year old pilot and flight instructor, upon their return from the "practice area" the pilot performed one touch-and-go and then proceeded around the traffic pattern for a second landing. Before touchdown the pilot and instructor reportedly verified the landing gear was extended by performing a visual check via a mirror mounted on the wing and also by observing the illuminated green landing gear light. Shortly after touchdown the right landing gear gave way and the right wing began to descend. The pilot attempted to "go-around" by applying full engine power. The pilot reported that the airplane "would not fly" and slid to a stop in grass near the runway.
According to photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the airplane's right wing and right aileron sustained structural damage. The left main landing gear remained down and locked and was not affected. The reason for the reported collapsed of the right main landing gear could not be determined.
At 1420, the weather observation facility at UXL reported, wind from 120 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 7 statute miles, clear of clouds, broken ceiling at 4,800 feet, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.06 inches of Mercury.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9461
- Reported as
- Cessna 210
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 21059361
- Airframe hours
- 2,795
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-L, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Smooth Air LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · January 1, 2007
- Departed
- UXL · Sulphur, LA
- Airport
- UXL · Southland Field Airport, runway 15, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 63
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- December 1, 2005
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 7,000 total · 1,200 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 4,800 ft broken
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.05 inHg
- Observed at
- UXL