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In-Flight Fire and Gear-Up Landing Following Smoke and Hydraulic Reservoir Fire (N7354M)

Lafayette, LA, US

On February 23, 1998, a Cessna 210M (registration N7354M) was involved in an aviation accident near Lafayette, LA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The unsecured squat switch wires located in the nose gear that were crimped (damaged) when the landing gear was retracted and shorted, resulting in an in-flight fire. A factor was the failure of the landing gear to extend during the emergency descent/landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane sustained substantial damage during an in-flight fire and subsequent gear-up landing. Smoke appeared under the co-pilot's instrument panel, followed by engine surging. The pilot noticed a fire near the hydraulic reservoir and performed a gear-up landing.

Incident Overview

The pilot reported that less than eight miles from the departure airport, he detected a smell of smoke. Shortly afterward, white smoke was seen emerging from beneath the co-pilot's side of the instrument panel. The engine then began to surge. The pilot attempted to lower the landing gear using the gear selector switch but was unsuccessful. He then used the emergency gear pump. While operating the pump, he observed a fire in the area of the hydraulic reservoir on the co-pilot's side. A gear-up landing was executed on runway 04R.

Examination Findings

Post-incident examination of the airplane revealed that the left side of the nose gear well was burned in the vicinity of the fuel line connecting the fuel pump to the strainer. The squat switch wires, normally secured to the nose gear strut, were found loose. These wires were crimped, and the protective casing around the wire was burned away at the crimped area. Additionally, the fire burned a hole through the engine firewall.

Damage

The airplane was substantially damaged as a result of the fire and the gear-up landing. No further details regarding other damage were provided.

In-flight fire & smoke

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Feb 1998 Cessna 210M accident near Lafayette, LA?

An airplane sustained substantial damage during an in-flight fire and subsequent gear-up landing. Smoke appeared under the co-pilot's instrument panel, followed by engine surging. The pilot noticed a fire near the hydraulic reservoir and performed a gear-up landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Feb 1998 Cessna 210M accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Feb 1998 involved a Cessna 210M, registration N7354M, at Lafayette, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The unsecured squat switch wires located in the nose gear that were crimped (damaged) when the landing gear was retracted and shorted, resulting in an in-flight fire. A factor was the failure of the landing gear to extend during the emergency descent/landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09548. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.