WPR11LA154

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 210 · Pahrump, NV · March 6, 2011

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
March 5, 2011, 17:00 local (Mar 6, 2011, 01:00 UTC)
Place
Pahrump, NV
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N9400TCessna 210
Defining event
Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 18, 2011
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Western Pacific Region
Parties
FAA-FSDO
FAA report
20110305012849A
Case key
78502

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown and his improper decision to abort a gear-up landing following a propeller strike.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Action: forgotten action/omissionPersonnel issues › Action/decision · PilotCessna 210: 3 casesAll aircraft: 440 casesProbable cause
Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sysAircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operatedCessna 210: 6 casesAll aircraft: 416 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing sequence, he realized he did not extend the landing gear when he felt the fuselage of the airplane impact the runway and he elected to abort the landing. During the go-around process, the pilot extended the landing gear. Shortly after aborting the landing, the airplane’s climb rate diminished and engine began to lose power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over, resulting in structural damage to both wings. Examination of the runway by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed numerous gouges on the runway surface consistent with a propeller strike. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Factual narrative

On March 5, 2011, about 1700 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 210, N9400T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at the Calvada Meadows Airport (NV74), Pahrump, Nevada. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Jean, Nevada, about 1600 with an intended destination of NV74. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during landing on runway 15, he realized that he had not extended the landing gear after he “felt the belly hit [the runway]” and initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot extended the landing gear. As the airplane ascended through about 150 to 200 feet above ground level, the airplane began to lose power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the landing roll, with the landing gear in the down position, the airplane encountered soft uneven terrain and the airplane nosed over. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the vertical stabilizer was bent. The left and right wings were buckled about mid-span and the engine firewall was bent. The inspector reported that examination of the runway revealed numerous gouges within the runway surface that were consistent with a propeller strike. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Aircraft

Registration
N9400T
Reported as
Cessna 210
Category
Airplane
Serial number
57200
Airframe hours
3,332
Engine
Cont Motor IO-470--E, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · March 4, 2011 · 2 hours before
Departed
Jean, NV
Destination
NV74 · Pahrump, NV
Airport
NV74 · Calvada Meadows Airport, runway 15, 4,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
57
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Flight hours
415 total · 23 in this make and model · 335 as pilot in command · 23 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
240° at 4 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 12 °F
Altimeter
30.05 inHg
Observed at
DRA, 21 nm away

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2011, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 577 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.