On January 14, 2005, a Cessna T210M (registration N761YH) was involved in an aviation accident near Mesa, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to use the emergency gear extension procedure to manually extend the landing gear to the down and locked position. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced an electrical low voltage warning and returned to Falcon Field. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot later noted the emergency extension procedure was not used.
Incident Overview
A single-engine aircraft experienced a landing gear collapse during touchdown at Falcon Field. The flight was approximately 40 miles southeast of the airport when the pilot observed an electrical low voltage warning. The pilot contacted the Falcon Field air traffic control specialist and declared an intention to return and land. Subsequently, the pilot was unable to establish further radio communications.
Approach and Landing
During the approach to the airport, the pilot moved the landing gear selector switch to the down position and visually confirmed that the landing gear appeared to be extended. The pilot received permission to land via a light gun signal from the control tower. Upon touchdown on runway 4R, the right main landing gear collapsed.
Pilot's Observation
After the accident, the pilot expressed an opinion that he should have used the emergency landing gear extension procedure to ensure the gear was in the down and locked position.