# NTSB LAX85LA108: Cessna T210L, N4691Q, San Jose, CA, January 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1985, 22:27 local (Jan 12, 1985, 06:27 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.339988, -121.899993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3400&lon=-121.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA108

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - hydraulic system,relief valve - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT, PLT DISCOVERED THAT LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND. PRESSURIZING 'DOWN SIDE' WITH EMERGENCY HAND PUMP ALLOWED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE LANDING GEAR. ON RETURN FLT TO SAN JOSE, PLT TRIED TO EXTEND THE GEAR BUT SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK WITH EITHER THE NORMAL OR EMERGENCY SYSTEM. ACFT LANDED GEAR UP AND INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM DISCLOSED A ONE-HALF INCH PIECE OF PACKING IN THE NOSE GEAR MANIFOLD NEAR THE DOOR CLOSE VALVE, AND A THERMAL RELIEF VALVE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION BY A BUILD-UP OF 'DARK COLORED GREASY RESIDUE' ON THE SPRING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4691Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4691Q-2011-01-27), registration cancelled 2011-01-27, S/N 21059591, built 1972 (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: 21059591
- Airframe hours: 2289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth E. Graves
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1984, 235 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Muni, runway 30R, 4,419 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,015 total, 245 in this make and model, 1,015 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC

## 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 19850111001149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850111001149A), Jan 11, 1985: Cessna STC210, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Landed gear up after being unable to extend gear. Relief valve spring and ball in power pack malfunctioned.

## Other investigations on N4691Q (2)

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 LAX74FUM27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUM27), Apr 12, 1974: Cessna 210T (N4691Q), San Diego, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI72FEE85](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEE85), Jun 30, 1972: Cessna T210L (N4691Q), Moline, IL, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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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