# NTSB WPR15LA038: Cessna 210B, N9578X, Bullhead City, AZ, November 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2014, 17:30 local (Nov 8, 2014, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Bullhead City, AZ - Coordinates: 35.155834, -114.559448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1558&lon=-114.5594&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90372/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90372 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA038 ## Probable cause The failure of the landing gear actuator housing during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, after takeoff, he heard a loud bang after he moved the landing gear handle to the "up" position. The landing gear indication lights did not illuminate. He cycled the landing gear handle, which had no effect. In addition, the flaps would not operate. During a low pass, the tower controller informed the pilot that the landing gear were in a transit position (not retracted, not locked down). The pilot attempted to execute the emergency gear extension procedure; however, the gear would not extend. During the landing, the gear completely collapsed, and the airplane slid to a stop on its belly and then tipped on its left side, which resulted in damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that an airframe and powerplant mechanic visually examined the landing gear actuator and stated that the actuator housing had split, which resulted in the loss of hydraulic system pressure. However, no further examinations were conducted, and the reason for the housing failure could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 2014, at 1730 mountain standard time, a Cessna 210B, N9578X, experienced a landing gear malfunction after takeoff from Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport, Bullhead City, Arizona. Tristate Careflight LLC operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The commercial pilot and three passengers were uninjured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer during the landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that after takeoff he heard a loud bang after he moved the landing gear handle to the UP position. The landing gear indication lights were not illuminated. He cycled the landing gear handle, which had no effect. He also determined that the flaps would not operate. During a low pass the tower informed the pilot that the landing gear were in a transit position (not retracted, not locked down). The pilot attempted to execute the emergency gear extension procedure, which was not successful. During the landing the gear completely collapsed, the airplane slid to a stop on its belly and tipped to the left, damaging the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that an airframe and power plant mechanic visually examined the landing gear actuator, and stated that the actuator housing had split, allowing the loss of hydraulic system pressure. No further examination was accomplished and the reason for the housing failure was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9578X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9578X), registered now, S/N 21057878 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210B - Registry model: [Cessna 210B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210b) (registry code 2073410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21057878 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 5110.75 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tristate Careflight LLC - Registered owner: Tristate Careflight LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2014 - Departed: KIFP, Bullhead City, AZ - Destination: KDVT, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: KIFP, Bullhead City, runway 34, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,401 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,193 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 115 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KIFP ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90372. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – On scene photo of the airplane (item 2, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20On%20scene%20photo%20of%20the%20airplane-Master.PDF - Email from Pilot re Actuator (item 3, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20Pilot%20re%20Actuator-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.