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NTSB Report

May 9, 2012 · Cessna T210K · N727FA

Midland, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Midland, TX
Aircraft
Cessna T210K
Tail Number
N727FA
Operator
Corporate Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA300

The pilot realized that the right main landing gear failed to extend before landing; they followed the emergency checklist procedure to manually pump the gear down. However, the pilot was unable to extend the gear, and the right main landing gear collapsed upon landing. When the airplane was recovered, the right gear was locked in the extended position, and the airplane was towed to a hangar and placed on jacks. The landing gear was then cycled successfully numerous times; the right main landing gear's failure to extend could not be duplicated. Further examination revealed that the top end of the right main landing gear's downlock adjustment screw was slightly bent. When the bent screw was positioned so that it leaned against the landing gear's downlock mechanism during the extension cycle, the landing gear system's downlock engaged before the gear was fully seated in the gear saddle. The position of the adjustment downlock screw was not documented until after the landing gear had been cycled several times; however, the condition is consistent with the pilot’s inability to manually extend the landing gear using the emergency hand pump. No other mechanical anomalies were noted, and the landing gear system operated normally after the adjustment downlock screw was replaced. It is unknown how the downlock adjustment screw got bent or how long it had been in that condition.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the right main landing gear to fully extend before landing due to a bent downlock adjustment screw.

Full Narrative

On May 9, 2012, approximately 1030 central daylight time, N727FA, a Cessna T210K airplane, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing at Midland International Airport (MAF), Midland, Texas. The commercial pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Corporate Services LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, approximately 0630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the flight was uneventful until he configured the airplane for landing. When he extended the landing gear, the right main gear would not fully extend. As per the emergency checklist, the pilot attempted to manually pump the gear down with the emergency gear pump, but the gear would not extend. He declared an emergency and landed. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered right off the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator; however, airport personnel were able to pull the right main gear into the down-and-locked position and tow it to a hangar. According to a representative of the company that maintains the airplane, he said the airplane was placed on jacks and the gear was successfully swung several times. The anomaly that caused the right main landing gear to not fully extend could not be duplicated. Further examination revealed the top-end of the right main landing gear's downlock adjustment screw was slightly bent and loose. Though the actual position of the screw at the time of the accident was never noted, it was determined that if it was moved into a certain position, the screw would lean against the gear's down lock mechanism during the extension cycle. This caused the landing gear system's downlock to prematurely engage before the gear was fully seated in the gear saddle. A review of the airplane's emergency procedure for a landing gear extension failure revealed the pilot was instructed to use the emergency hand pump to manually extend the gear. However, based on the unique circumstances of the bent downlock adjustment screw, use of the emergency hand pump would not have been effective in extending the gear. The maintenance facility found no other mechanical anomalies with the landing gear system and replaced the bent downlock adjustment screw. The gear was then swung numerous times without incident and the airplane was returned to service. It was unknown how the right downlock adjustment screw got bent or how long it had been in that condition prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMIDLAND (0nm)
Runway34L
Runway Length9501 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T210K
Tail NumberN727FA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCorporate Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data