# NTSB GAA19CA171: Cessna T210, N732SJ, Chandler, AZ, March 9, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2019, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.270832, -111.806945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2708&lon=-111.8069&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99140/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99140 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's distraction while looking for other aircraft in the traffic pattern, which resulted in his failure to follow a prelanding checklist and to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the improperly rigged landing gear warning switch, which prevented an audible warning sound. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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 T210M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/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 T210M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the retractable-landing gear equipped-airplane reported that, while in the traffic pattern, he was distracted while looking for other aircraft and failed to continue the landing checklist, but he assumed it was completed. During the approach, he reduced power and did not hear the landing gear warning horn. The pilot then landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that, during the recovery process with a tow truck, they attempted to troubleshoot the landing gear warning system, but they still did not hear the landing gear warning horn. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administrator inspector revealed that the landing gear audible warning horn switch on the bulkhead (engine compartment) was improperly rigged, and the horn did not sound when tested. He added that the airplane was equipped with a mirror on the right wing, which the pilot could have used to visually check if the landing gear were extended. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the retractable landing gear equipped-airplane reported that, while in the traffic pattern, he was distracted looking for other aircraft and failed to continue the landing checklist, but assumed it was completed. During approach, he reduced power, but did not hear the landing gear warning horn. The pilot then landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that, during the recovery process with a tow truck, they attempted to troubleshoot the landing gear warning system, but they did not hear the landing gear warning horn again. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administrator inspector revealed that the landing gear audible warning horn switch on the bulkhead (engine compartment) was improperly rigged and the horn did not sound when tested. He added that the airplane was equipped with a mirror on the right wing which the pilot could have used to visually check if the landing gear was extended. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N732SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732SJ-2023-03-02), registration cancelled 2023-03-02, S/N 21061735, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21061735 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3492.2 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-R9B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2018 - Departed: A39, Maricopa, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Muni, runway 22L, 4,870 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,121 total, 196 in this make and model, 1,047 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KCHD ## 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 20190309010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190309010659A), Mar 9, 2019: Cessna T210M, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Airman was distracted on downwind searching for helicopter traffic crossing below and failed to return to before landing checklist. Aircraft landed gear up.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99140. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Airplane Maintenance Manual Excerpt (item 3, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Maintenance%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.