WPR13IA026

During the airplane’s approach to land, the pilot extended the landing gear. However, the pilot did not confirm that the landing gear position indicator light was illuminated, and he did not visually check to ensure that the landing gear was down and locked. The main landing gear collapsed shortly after the airplane touched down. Postincident examination of the airplane revealed that the landing gear pump circuit breaker had tripped. When the circuit breaker was reset, the landing gear was successfully cycled. According to the airplane flight manual, pilots can ensure that the landing gear is fully extended by checking that the green landing gear position indicator light is illuminated and visually checking the landing gear position.

On October 27, 2012, about 1235 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N43CE, sustained minor damage during the landing roll and subsequent landing gear collapse at the Oakland Metropolitan International Airport (OAK) Oakland, California. 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, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) Salt Lake City, Utah, at about 1100 mountain daylight time, with a destination of OAK. The pilot reported extending the landing gear to the down position during the approach about five miles from the airport. As the landing gear extended, he heard the sound of the gear motor and felt the pitch change of the airplane. The pilot did not check to see if the green landing gear position indicator light was illuminated and did not visually confirm if the landing gear was down. During the landing roll, the main landing gear collapsed about 600 feet from the touchdown and the nose gear remained down and locked. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that minor damage was sustained to accessories attached to the underside of the fuselage. Subsequently, he observed that the gear pump circuit breaker was out. The circuit breaker was reset and a gear swing was accomplished, which resulted in normal operation. A review of the normal procedures section in the Pilot Operating Handbook revealed that the Before Landing checklist, step 4, requires checking that the green landing gear position indicator light is illuminated and visually observing that the main landing gear is down and locked. In the event of landing without positive indication of the gear locking, the emergency procedures call for checking the landing gear and gear pump circuit breakers are in.