# NTSB GAA15CA206: Cessna T210L, N1650X, Duluth, MN, July 25, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2015, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, MN
- Coordinates: 46.724725, -92.047079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7247&lon=-92.0471&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91675/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91675
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA206

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention to another airplane in the vicinity and that he inaccurately perceived the gear warning horn annunciator as the TCAS annunciator.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he began his descent in the airport traffic pattern when another airplane announced its position in the vicinity of the airport. The pilot turned his attention to the traffic and located it visually. The traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) annunciated in the proximity of the other airplane. The turn to the base leg was made after passing the traffic. During the base and final legs, the gear warning horn annunciated and the pilot stated he had mistaken it for the TCAS. The pilot landed with the gear retracted and the airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage supporting structure. The pilot reported he was wearing noise cancelling headphones during the flight but did state he was able to hear the gear warning horn annunciate. After the accident, the airplane was placed on jacks and the landing gear was extended using the airplane's own systems and there was no indication of abnormal operation. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he began his descent in the airport traffic pattern when another airplane announced its position in the vicinity of the airport. The pilot turned his attention to the traffic and located it visually. The traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) annunciated in the proximity of the other airplane. The turn to the base leg was made after passing the traffic. During the base and final legs, the gear warning horn annunciated and the pilot stated he had mistaken it for the TCAS. The pilot landed with the gear retracted and the airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage supporting structure. The pilot reported he was wearing noise cancelling headphones during the flight but did state he was able to hear the gear warning horn annunciate. After the accident, the airplane was placed on jacks and the landing gear was extended using the airplane's own systems and there was no indication of abnormal operation. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1650X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1650X-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 21060685, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060685
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 5926.3
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: St. Croix Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: St. Croix Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2015
- Departed: 21D, ST PAUL, MN
- Destination: DYT, Duluth, MN
- Airport: DYT, Sky Harbor, runway 32, 3,049 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 4, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 131 total, 20 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KDYT

## 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 20150725011589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150725011589A), Jul 25, 2015: Cessna T210L, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered a gear up landing on runway 14 at dyt.

## Other investigations on N1650X (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK77FVD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77FVD06), Nov 26, 1976: Cessna T210 (N1650X), Eureka, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91675. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 968 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Bottom of Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Bottom%20of%20Fuselage%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.

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