On February 2, 1986, a Cessna T210M (registration N761JP) operated by Douglas Warwick was involved in an aviation accident near Truth OR Conseq, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to verify the landing gear condition lights before lowering the nose, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot accustomed to delaying nose gear touchdown failed to verify landing gear indicator lights before lowering the nose, resulting in substantial aircraft damage from propeller and underside contact with the runway.
What happened
During the landing roll, the pilot operated under a personal habit of keeping the nose gear elevated off the runway surface until ground speed had sufficiently decreased. Prior to initiating this maneuver, the pilot did not verify the status of the landing gear condition lights. Upon lowering the aircraft's nose, the propeller and the underside of the airframe made contact with the runway surface, causing substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
Post-accident testing was conducted to determine if a mechanical failure contributed to the incident. The landing gear system was cycled approximately 50 times during these tests. Each cycle demonstrated that the nose gear functioned normally, indicating no mechanical defect in the gear mechanism itself.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to verify the landing gear condition lights before lowering the nose, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 2 Feb 1986 Cessna T210M accident near Truth OR Conseq, NM?
A pilot accustomed to delaying nose gear touchdown failed to verify landing gear indicator lights before lowering the nose, resulting in substantial aircraft damage from propeller and underside contact with the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Feb 1986 involved a Cessna T210M, registration N761JP, operated by Douglas Warwick, at Truth OR Conseq, NM.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to verify the landing gear condition lights before lowering the nose, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
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