# NTSB ERA14CA157: Cessna 210N, N210JZ, Marathon, FL, March 17, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2014, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Marathon, FL - Coordinates: 24.72611, -81.051391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7261&lon=-81.0514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88932/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88932 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure that the airplane's landing gear was down and locked prior to touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the possibility of intermittent landing gear operation due to a faulty hydraulic power pack contactor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (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) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (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 checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073453), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing a simulated engine-out visual approach to the asphalt runway. He extended the landing gear on short final and believed it was down and locked; however, after touchdown, the left and right main landing gear retracted into their respective wheel-wells. A witness at the airport who observed the accident stated that the airplane's main landing gear was not fully extended when the airplane touched down on the runway. The pilot stated that he did not hear the aural landing gear warning horn prior to landing and he did not recall if the green (landing gear down) landing gear position indicator lights were illuminated prior to landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. Initial postaccident examination of the airplane, which included a check of the landing gear warning system and a landing gear retraction test, did not reveal any anomalies. Subsequent additional examination of the landing gear system, which included multiple landing gear extension-retraction cycles revealed a faulty hydraulic power pack contactor, which resulted in intermittent extension of the landing gear. Review of the airplane's pilot operating handbook, normal procedures, before landing checklist, included: "4. Landing Gear – CHECK (observe main gear down and green indicator light on)." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was practicing a simulated engine-out visual approach to the asphalt runway. He extended the landing gear on short final and believed it was down and locked; however, after touchdown, the left and right main landing gear retracted into their respective wheel-wells. A witness at the airport who observed the accident stated that the airplane's main landing gear was not fully extended when the airplane touched down on the runway. The pilot stated that he did not hear the aural landing gear warning horn prior to landing and he did not recall if the green (landing gear down) landing gear position indicator lights were illuminated prior to landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. Initial postaccident examination of the airplane, which included a check of the landing gear warning system and a landing gear retraction test, did not reveal any anomalies. Subsequent additional examination of the landing gear system, which included multiple landing gear extension-retraction cycles revealed a faulty hydraulic power pack contactor, which resulted in intermittent extension of the landing gear. Review of the airplane's pilot operating handbook, normal procedures, before landing checklist, included: "4. Landing Gear – CHECK (observe main gear down and green indicator light on)." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N210JZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210JZ), registered now, S/N 21063793, built 1979 (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: 21063793 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 5302 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2014, 1 hours before - Departed: X51, Homestead, FL - Destination: MTH, Marathon, FL - Airport: MTH, Marathon, runway 25, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 1,807 total, 793 in this make and model, 1,744 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: MTH ## 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 20140317002019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140317002019A), Mar 17, 2014: Cessna 210N, Marathon, FL, Minor damage. Both main landing gear collapsed when aircraft landed at Marathon, Florida (kmth). ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88932. 7.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Maintenance Personnel (item 4, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Maintenance%20Personnel-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records - Annual Inspection (item 5, .PDF, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Annual%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Pilot Operating Handbook (item 6, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413432&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook-Master.PDF - Service Difficulty Report for Faulty Contactor (item 7, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Service%20Difficulty%20Report%20for%20Faulty%20Contactor-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Right Horizontal Stabilizer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Right%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.