# NTSB WPR09CA352: Cessna T210N, N5287A, Corona, CA, July 7, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2009, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.897499, -117.602218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8975&lon=-117.6022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74309 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74309/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74309 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA352 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare during touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The approach to the runway was normal and the pilot configured the airplane for landing. The airplane touched down on the runway surface hard, resulting in it bouncing down the runway two or three times. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane came to rest over halfway down the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. Inspection of the airframe found that the firewall was substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that while en route to his destination airport, the fuel gauges malfunctioned to erroneously indicate empty tanks. With the insistence of his passenger, the pilot opted to divert to the closest airport. The approach was normal and he configured the airplane for landing. The airplane touched down on the runway surface hard, resulting in it bouncing down the runway two or three times. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane came to rest over halfway down the runway. As a result of the impact the airplane sustained damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5287A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5287A), registered now, S/N 21063349, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N - Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21063349 - Airframe hours: 2501 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tax Busters Inc - Registered owner: Tax Busters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 2008, 34 hours before - Departed: 5T6, Santa Teresa, NM - Destination: KAJO, Corona, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KAJO, Corona Municipal Airport, runway 07, 3,200 × 59 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 2,694 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KAJO ## 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 20090707013579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090707013579A), Jul 7, 2009: Cessna T210N, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The PIC landed hard on main gear bounced on nose gear, nose gear retracted, propeller struck runway with engine at power, destroyed propeller, propeller… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74309. 448 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 448 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.