- Date
- February 23, 1998, 10:38 local (15:38 UTC)
- Place
- Lafayette, LA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N7354MCessna 210M
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 15, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980223001709A
- Case key
- 20539
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The unsecured squat switch wires located in the nose gear that were crimped (damaged) when the landing gear was retracted and shorted, resulting in an in-flight fire. A factor was the failure of the landing gear to extend during the emergency descent/landing.
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 airplane was substantially damaged during an in-flight fire and gear up landing. The pilot reported that he had 'not gone more than eight miles from the airport, when [he] started to smell smoke.' He observed white smoke coming from under the instrument panel on the co-pilot's side and 'shortly' thereafter the engine 'began to surge.' The pilot was unable to extend the gear using the gear selector switch and began using the emergency gear pump. As he was attempting to pump the gear down he noticed a fire that 'looked to be around the hydraulic reservoir on the co-pilot's side' A gear up landing was executed on runway 04R. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left side of the nose gear well was burned in the vicinity of the fuel line that connects the fuel pump to the strainer. The squat switch wires, which are normally secured to the nose gear strut, were found loose. The squat switch wires were crimped and the protective casing around the wire was burned away at the crimped area. The FAA inspector reported that the fire burned a hole in the engine firewall.
Factual narrative
On February 23, 1998, at 1038 central daylight time, a Cessna 210M airplane, N7354M, was substantially damaged during an in-flight fire and gear up landing at the Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Lafayette Regional Airport approximately 1030, and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he performed a preflight inspection that included a visual inspection inside the engine cowling and a check of the engine oil, followed by a run-up. No abnormalities were detected during the preflight or run-up. The airplane departed runway 04L for an area 26 miles west of the Lafayette Regional Airport, where he planned to take aerial photographs.
The pilot reported that he had "not gone more than eight miles from the airport, when [he] started to smell smoke." He stated that the "smoke smelled like wires burning." He observed white smoke coming from under the instrument panel on the co-pilot's side and "shortly" thereafter the engine "began to surge." The pilot turned the airplane back towards Lafayette Regional Airport and was cleared to land on runway 11. He was unable to extend the gear using the gear selector switch and began to use the emergency gear pump to lower the gear. While attempting to pump the gear down he noticed a fire that "looked to be around the hydraulic reservoir on the co-pilot's side." The pilot realized that there was no pressure on the emergency gear pump and prepared for a gear up landing.
As the airplane approached the airport the pilot realized that runway 04R was more suitable. A gear up landing was executed and the airplane came to rest upright on runway 04R. The pilot stated that "he exited the airplane and a fire crew extinguished the fire."
A representative from Cessna Aircraft Company examined the airplane. The examination revealed that the left side of the nose gear well was burned in the vicinity of the fuel line that connects the fuel pump to the strainer. The squat switch wires, which are normally secured to the nose gear strut, were found loose and not secured to any structure. The squat switch wires were crimped and the protective casing around the wire was burned away at the crimped area. The fuel lines were pressurized and no fuel leaks were observed within the nose gear well.
An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and stated that the fire had burned a hole in the engine firewall.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7354M
- Reported as
- Cessna 210M
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 21062011
- Airframe hours
- 2,100
- Engine
- Continental TSIO-520, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- In-Flight
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- C. L. Jack Stelly & Assc. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 1, 1997 · 117 hours before
- Departed
- LFT
- Airport
- LFT · Lafayette Rgnl Airport, runway 4R, 7,651 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Certificate
- Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 5,300 total · 700 in this make and model · 4,850 as pilot in command · 25 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LFT
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.