On October 7, 1992, a Cessna 210G (registration N37SC) operated by Richardson, Samuel M. was involved in an aviation accident near Little Rock, AR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION/EXTENSION ASSEMBLY FROM RESTRICTED HYDRAULIC FLUID MOVEMENT THROUGH A PARTIALLY FAILED MAIN LANDING GEAR UPLOCK RELEASE VALVE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a flight, the pilot encountered landing gear indication anomalies. Flybys confirmed the nose gear down but main gear trailing. After troubleshooting, the landing resulted in the main gear collapsing, caused by a failed uplock release valve.
Event Summary
After takeoff, the pilot moved the landing gear handle to retract the gear but did not receive a gear-up light. Attempting the gear-down position also resulted in no illumination. Several flybys were conducted, during which ground personnel observed that the nose gear was down, the main gear were trailing, and all gear doors were down. The pilot cancelled the original flight plan and refiled under visual flight rules (VFR). Upon reaching the new destination, the pilot communicated with technical personnel via radio in an effort to resolve the malfunction. The airplane landed approximately 1.5 hours later on runway 18. During touchdown, the main gear remained unlocked and collapsed.
Inspection Findings
Following the landing, inspection of the airplane revealed that the main landing gear uplock release valve had failed. The valve was found to allow hydraulic pressure to unlock the gear but did not allow hydraulic fluid to pass through the valve to the main actuators. This failure prevented the gear from being locked in the down position.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 7 Oct 1992 Cessna 210G accident near Little Rock, AR?
During a flight, the pilot encountered landing gear indication anomalies. Flybys confirmed the nose gear down but main gear trailing. After troubleshooting, the landing resulted in the main gear collapsing, caused by a failed uplock release valve.
Were there any fatalities in the 7 Oct 1992 Cessna 210G accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 Oct 1992 involved a Cessna 210G, registration N37SC, operated by Richardson, Samuel M., at Little Rock, AR.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION/EXTENSION ASSEMBLY FROM RESTRICTED HYDRAULIC FLUID MOVEMENT THROUGH A PARTIALLY FAILED MAIN LANDING GEAR UPLOCK RELEASE VALVE.
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