LAX07CA159

The airplane landed wheels up on runway 25, which resulted in substantial airframe damage. The pilot said that approaching the runway he extended the wing flaps to 20 degrees and lowered the landing gear handle. He flared for landing about 300 feet beyond the runway's touchdown zone while flying between 75 and 80 knots, and with 15 inches of manifold pressure. Seconds later the airplane came to a stop on its belly. The pilot did not recall hearing the landing gear warning horn or observing the gear position lights in unsafe positions during the mishap. A mechanic examined the airplane and reported finding no evidence of any mechanical malfunction with the landing gear system. The extension system, horn, and lights were functionally tested and were found operative.

On May 11, 2007, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N66CE, landed wheels up on runway 25 at The Dalles Municipal Airport, The Dalles, Oregon. The airplane was owned by Skyview Construction, Post Falls, Idaho, and operated by a private individual. The airplane was substantially damaged as it slid to a stop on the runway, and the commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Spokane, Washington, about 1210.

In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," he stated that approaching the runway he extended the wing flaps to 20 degrees and lowered the landing gear handle. He flared for landing about 300 feet beyond the runway's touchdown zone while flying between 75 and 80 knots, and with 15 inches of manifold pressure. Seconds later the airplane came to a stop on its belly.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigator interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that the landing gear warning horn does not activate until the manifold pressure is reduced below 15 inches, and during his approach he did not recall hearing the horn. The pilot did not state that he observed illumination of any landing gear position lights prior to the mishap.

The Safety Board investigator directed that the airplane be hoisted up and examined. An FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic reported observing that bulkheads were damaged. The mechanic extended the landing gear and reported finding no evidence of a mechanical malfunction with the landing gear extension mechanism or the airplane's electrical system as it related to the landing gear motor. The landing gear warning horn sounded when the throttle was retarded, and the position lights illuminated.