# NTSB FTW98LA021: Cessna 210L, N93089, Albuquerque, NM, October 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1997, 19:00 local (Oct 5, 1997, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.059326, -106.619308 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0593&lon=-106.6193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20460/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA021 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A related factor was his attention being diverted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - night - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was vectored onto a long final approach to runway 30. About 3 miles from the runway, he slowed the airplane to 140 knots (Vgo), then slowed further to the flap operating speed (Vfo). He was going through the final prelanding checklist when a 'bright' annunciator light on the GPS (global positioning system) display panel illuminated. The pilot said he was distracted by this light and was trying to turn it off. The pilot wrote, 'With this distraction, I failed to check for the gear down green light and landed with the gear up. The gear horn came on as I flared, but it was too late.' ## Factual narrative On October 4, 1997, approximately 1900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 210L, N93089, was substantially damaged during an inadvertent wheels up landing at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Santa Rosa, New Mexico, approximately 1800. This event was originally classified as an incident and upgraded to an accident after the airplane was inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. According to the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot, he contacted approach control and was subsequently vectored onto a long final approach to runway 30. When the airplane was 3 miles from the runway, he slowed the airplane to 140 knots (Vgo), then slowed further to flaps operating speed (Vfo). The pilot was going through the final prelanding checklist when a "bright" annunciator light on the GPS (global positioning system) display panel illuminated. The pilot said he was distracted by this light and was trying to turn it off. The pilot wrote, "With this distraction, I failed to check for the gear down green light and landed with the gear up. The gear horn came on as I flared, but it was too late." Inspection disclosed a structural rib behind the passenger door was damaged to the extent that it had to be replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93089](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93089-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 21060253, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210L - Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21060253 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Continental IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: San Martin Flying Mission - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1996, 220 hours before - Departed: Q58, SANTA ROSA, NM - Destination: ABQ - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque International, runway 30, 5,130 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,940 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 7,940 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## 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 19971004042689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971004042689A), Oct 4, 1997: Cessna 210L, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On final, pilot distracted by GPS annunciator light, failed to check gear position. (.4) the pilot was vectored onto a long final approach to runway 30. About… 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.