# NTSB WPR13LA274: Cessna T210L, N94086, Fresno, CA, June 16, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2013, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.772499, -119.717781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7725&lon=-119.7178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA274 ## Probable cause A hydraulic fluid leak in the nose landing gear actuator rod seal, which prevented the hydraulic system from building up sufficient pressure to fully retract or extend the main landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: hydraulic fluid](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/cases.md) - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot/owner reported that, after departing in the airplane for a local flight, he was unable to fully retract the landing gear. He attempted to fully extend the landing gear using the manual extension procedures without success. The pilot then diverted to a nearby airport and conducted a partial gear-up landing. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, aileron, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. During postaccident examination of the landing gear system, the hydraulic reservoir was found empty, the nose landing gear actuator rod seal was found leaking hydraulic fluid, and hydraulic fluid was found on the underside of the fuselage. It is likely that the hydraulic fluid leak prevented the hydraulic system from building up sufficient pressure to extend or retract the main landing gear. The nose gear actuator has no requirement for overhaul or reseal and is considered "on condition." ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2013, about 1140 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna T210L, N94086, landed gear-up at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Fowler, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was unable to fully retract the landing gear after takeoff. He was unable to correct the situation and attempted to manually extend the landing gear by use of the manual extension procedures, which were unsuccessful. The pilot elected to divert to the accident airport, and land with the landing gear partially extended. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left aileron, left horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. During post accident examination the landing gear systems were intact except for the lack of hydraulic fluid. Once the system was filled with hydraulic fluid the landing gear would not extend using the electric pump. Use of the manual extension system did not extend the gear. A leak in the nose landing gear actuator rod seal was observed. Maintenance personnel related that the fluid leak prevented the hydraulic system from building up enough pressure to extend/retract and lock the gear. Examination of the underside of the airplane found a film of sticky fluid from the nose landing gear wheel well to the tail of the airplane. In addition, drops of hydraulic fluid were found on several antennas on the bottom of the airplane. The nose gear actuator has no requirement for overhaul or reseal and is considered "on condition." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94086](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94086-2016-05-18), registration cancelled 2016-05-18, S/N 21060502, built 1974 (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: 21060502 - Airframe hours: 4156 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 H 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2012, 47 hours before - Departed: 11CA, Fowler, CA - Destination: FAT, Fresno, CA - Airport: FAT, Fresno Yosemite International, runway 29L, 9,227 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,523 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 3,523 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 20130616017559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130616017559A), Jun 16, 2013: Cessna T210L, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. The PIC reported that after takeoff, he retracted the landing gear, but did not get a "up & locked" yellow light indication. Lights (green & yellow) were… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87214. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Examination Report (item 2, .PDF, 4 photos, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examination%20Report-Master.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.