The pilot of the retractable-landing-gear-equipped Cessna 210 reported that, during approach to the airport in Sussex, N.J., the green landing gear extended light was illuminated.
He further reported that “it was possible that he inadvertently cycled the landing gear back to a gear up position.”
The airplane landed gear up and was destroyed by a post-accident fire.
During a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that the landing gear handle and the trim wheel were next to each other, and it is probable that, when operating the trim wheel, he moved the landing gear handle.
He added that that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent landing gear retraction during approach.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA115
This January 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I am a French private pilot since 1959 and my Dad was a military and test pilot from 1923 to 1969..once as taking off he forgot to take off the Eclisse… The press on the wings (to avoid the ailerons to flap when park.)
They were loose but not off… He took off and notice his mistake came back with turn control of the motors power… Land perfectly.. But the General of the airbase was aware of that and stence my Dad with a15 days off.. And a blame..
2 weeks later the General was flying back to the base on a French jet Paris..on final He did set the landing gear but forgot to set the safety fork.. And made a nice sparkling belly landing… It proved that anytime we can make a mistake but if you are a General of the army you are not going to be blame.
Thanks to have read my story
The aircraft landed on it’s belly. The pilot, “it was possible that he inadvertently cycled the landing gear back to a gear up position.” Ya think? Insurance companies should eat this guy alive.
This is one stupid I pray to God I never do!
Belly tanks? I sure don’t like the idea of riding around on a cushion filled with aviation fuel!
This sounds like another “it’s not my fault” excuse! You can trim the elevator with a thimb and two fingers. You must consciously pull the gear handle out, then move it up to retract the gear. This fellow clearly didn’t follow the landing checklist
I think that the pilot forgot to lower the gear.
[ the POH states that the gear handle has to be pulled out in order to move it up or down, so an accidental movement of the lever is unlikely. ]
He has 150 hrs TT, with 50 hrs in the C210.
Adding to that, the landing attempt was at 2:30 am..! possible fatigue ?
Then I was surprised that the belly landing caused a fire that destroyed the aircraft.
I found info that the C210 has one or two header tanks in the belly, under the floor.
So did the tank[s] get breached and start the fire ? If so, it’s not the greatest design.
It’s interesting that the a/c is still on the FAA registry,
https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=884KM