On May 11, 2007, a Cessna T210L (registration N66CE) operated by Axel Armbruster was involved in an aviation accident near The Dalles, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane landed with its landing gear retracted on runway 25, resulting in substantial airframe damage. The pilot reported extending flaps and lowering the gear handle, but did not recall hearing the warning horn or seeing unsafe gear lights. Post-accident inspection found no mechanical malfunction.
Incident Details
An airplane sustained substantial airframe damage after landing wheels-up on runway 25. The aircraft came to a stop on its belly after skidding along the runway surface.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that during the approach, he extended the wing flaps to 20 degrees and moved the landing gear handle to the down position. He initiated the flare for landing approximately 300 feet beyond the runway's touchdown zone, maintaining an airspeed between 75 and 80 knots with 15 inches of manifold pressure. Shortly thereafter, the airplane settled onto its belly and slid to a stop. The pilot did not recall hearing the landing gear warning horn or observing the gear position lights indicating an unsafe condition at any point during the incident.
Post-Accident Examination
A mechanic examined the airplane's landing gear system and found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. The gear extension system, warning horn, and position lights were functionally tested and determined to be operative. No pre-existing defects were identified that could have prevented normal gear extension.