Casualties unknown

1998-12-31: Cessna P210N (N731YY) — Eau Clare, WI

Eau Clare, WI, US

On December 31, 1998, a Cessna P210N (registration N731YY) was involved in an aviation accident near Eau Clare, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the delayed gear extension by the pilot. Contributing factors were the checklist not used by the pilot, the inoperative gear warning, and the maintenance replacement of the throttle control/gear warning interconnect cable not performed by company/operator… 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane landed with its main landing gear retracted and nose gear extended. The pilot did not use a written checklist. A subsequent inspection revealed a stiff cable likely caused a gear warning horn failure.

Incident Summary

The airplane came to rest on the runway with the nose landing gear extended and the main landing gear retracted. No further details about the flight or aircraft were provided in the investigation source.

Pilot Interview

During an interview, the pilot reported that he did not use a written checklist to perform the before-landing checks. The source did not specify what checks were performed or omitted.

Mechanic Inspection

An aircraft mechanic at the airport reported that after the incident, he found the nose wheel landing gear in the down position, with the main landing gear retracted into their gear wells. The landing gear handle was observed in the down position.

Gear System Check

The airplane was placed on jacks for further examination. When the master switch was placed into the 'ON' position, the red gear-in-transit light illuminated, the landing gear extended, and the green gear-down light illuminated. The gear was then cycled approximately six times and operated normally.

Maintenance Issue

The mechanic attributed the failure of the gear warning horn to a stiff cable. According to the mechanic, the cable was scheduled for replacement in accordance with a 1981 service letter, but that replacement had never been complied with. The source did not state whether this cable issue was directly responsible for the gear malfunction.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11533. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.