# NTSB WPR24LA126: Cessna P210N, N806RC, Auburn, WA, April 11, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 11, 2024, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Auburn, WA · On airport - Coordinates: 47.327625, -122.22665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3276&lon=-122.2267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194090/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194090 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA126 ## Probable cause An overstress fracture of the left main landing gear actuator, which resulted in the failure of the left main landing gear to fully extend and lock into place. ## 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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=2073454), [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. - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to practice maneuvers and perform system checks on the airplane. The pilot extended the landing gear during the flight, and although the gear appeared to be extended the down-and-locked light did not illuminate. The pilot made multiple attempts to lower the gear, including performing the manual extension procedures. The pilot performed a low pass over the airport and was informed by his mechanic that the gear appeared to be extended. During the subsequent landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination revealed that the left main landing actuator barrel had a longitudinal fracture. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces revealed signatures of overstress. The overstress fracture of the actuator resulted in the failure of the landing gear to fully extend. A functional test and examination of the hydraulic power pack revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2024, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N806RC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Auburn, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that an annual inspection had recently been completed on the airplane and the purpose of the flight was to practice maneuvers and perform system checks in the local practice area. Once he arrived in the practice area, he lowered the landing gear, but the landing gear position indicator lights did not illuminate. The pilot said that he could hear the hydraulic pump operating continuously and he attempted to cycle the landing gear a second time. He stated he could see all three tires using the wing-mounted mirrors, and the landing gear appeared to be lowered; however, the gear down-and-locked light did not illuminate. Following several unsuccessful attempts to cycle the landing gear, he used the emergency landing gear extension procedure. While operating the emergency hand pump, he felt marginal resistance and noted that the landing gear did not extend. After completing additional troubleshooting for extending the landing gear, he conducted a low approach over the Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), Auburn, Washington. The pilot’s mechanic, located on the airport, observed the low approach and reported the landing gear looked like it was down. During the landing roll on runway 34, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway and struck a runway sign and a light. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were substantially damaged. The airplane was stabilized using floor jacks and a tail stand. The seats, interior, and fuselage inspection panels were removed. The emergency hand pump was extended and pumped. Red liquid consistent with hydraulic fluid was observed coming from the left main landing gear actuator. The left main landing gear actuator was removed, and a crack about 3 ½ inches long was observed on the actuator housing. The left landing gear actuator was sent to National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, for examination. The examination of the fracture surface revealed characteristics consistent with an overstress fracture. A review of the airplane’s maintenance records could not determine the age of the landing gear actuator, or if recent maintenance had been performed on it. A subsequent functional test and examination of the hydraulic power pack revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N806RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N806RC-2025-05-21), registration cancelled 2025-05-21, S/N P21000149, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000149 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5978 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-RCP 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2024, 2 hours before - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: S50, Auburn Muni, runway 34, 3,842 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,400 total, 380 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KSEA, 8 nm away - METAR: KSEA 112053Z 24009KT 10SM FEW012 FEW050 BKN100 OVC230 12/03 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP138 T01170033 56026 ## 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 20240411005419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240411005419A), Apr 11, 2024: Cessna P210N, Auburn, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed Auburn airport (S50) at approximately 12:17PM PDT on 4/11/2024. Pilot proceeded to the flight practice area southeast of the Auburn airport.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194090. 10.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17037838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe exam (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17165642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA126%20Airframe%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Actuator exam email (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 7.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17165441&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Actuator%20exam%20email-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17164957&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA126%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17327004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.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.