Incident Overview
On November 9, 2008, at 1406 central standard time, a Cessna T210N (registration N6267Y) piloted by a commercial pilot was involved in an incident at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), Lubbock, Texas. The aircraft sustained minor damage when the landing gear collapsed during an emergency landing following a partial loss of electrical power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan, departing LBB en route to Clovis Municipal Airport (CVN), Clovis, New Mexico.
Pilot Information
The 28-year-old pilot held commercial and instructor pilot certificates with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, instrument airplane, and instructor endorsements for single- and multi-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on May 22, 2008, without limitations. On that date, he reported 870 total flight hours, with 300 hours in the preceding six months.
Aircraft Information
The 1981-model Cessna T210N (serial number 21064313) is a high-wing, retractable-gear aircraft designed for six occupants. It was powered by a turbocharged, fuel-injected, air-cooled, six-cylinder Continental TSIO-520 reciprocating engine rated at 300 horsepower, driving a two-bladed propeller. The last annual inspection of the engine and airframe was completed on November 29, 2007, with 1,852.6 tachometer hours and total airframe time. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had accumulated 1,902 total hours.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft landed and came to rest on the runway. Initial examination showed scrape marks on the belly and possible damage to a lower bulkhead, but later inspection confirmed the bulkhead was undamaged. The incident was initially classified as an accident due to suspected substantial damage, but later downgraded to an incident. An FAA examination revealed the engine starter showed signs of overheating and was removed for evaluation.
Test and Research
The engine starter was sent to Teledyne Continental Motors for examination under National Transportation Safety Board supervision. Disassembly revealed extensive heat damage to internal components. No determination could be made regarding the cause of the damage.
Additional Information
The aircraft owner and pilot reported that the airplane experienced various electrical problems after a Garmin GNS 430W unit was installed by Tradewinds Aircraft Service Center in Amarillo, Texas, on May 30, 2008. Reported issues included: two or three alternator replacements; strobe blinking and feedback in headsets from communication frequencies, gear motor, and alternator cycling; illumination of the alternator red low-charge light when strobes and navigation lights were on; and failure of the slaved gyro to stay slaved.
After the incident, the aircraft was sent to a different repair station, where unused wiring from avionics no longer required after the Garmin 430W installation was removed. Excessive wiring butt splices under the pilot's instrument panel were removed and repaired, Garmin GNS 430W wiring was checked and rerouted, and several loose connector pins were repaired. Following these repairs, the aircraft's electrical system operated normally. The repairs were completed without the investigator's knowledge after the aircraft had been released, preventing oversight; all removed wiring was disposed of without examination.
Probable Cause
The incident report does not provide a stated probable cause.