DFW07LA107

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 210 · Sulphur, LA · May 8, 2007

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
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.

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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.

Gear collapsedLanding - flare/touchdown
Reason for occurrence undetermined
In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding - aborted
Terrain condition - ground

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