Accident Overview
On November 24, 2014, about 1107 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210N (registration N610KC) experienced a left main landing gear collapse and runway excursion during landing at Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF), Tampa, Florida. The airplane was operated by U.S. Imaging Inc under 14 CFR Part 91 as an aerial observation flight that departed Bartow Municipal Airport (BOW), Bartow, Florida, about 1030. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, and left wing tip.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he entered a left base and, about 4 miles from the airport, extended the landing gear to the "DOWN" position. He observed the green landing gear indicator light, which indicated the gear was down and locked. He further reported that at no time during the approach did the gear audible warning horn sound to alert of an unsafe landing gear condition. After touchdown, he felt "the left side of the plane sink" and immediately applied full power. However, due to insufficient airspeed, he decided to perform an "emergency landing." He reported that no work had been performed on the landing gear prior to the accident.
Examination Findings
Initial examination by an FAA inspector revealed that the landing gear handle was in the "DOWN" position and the nose landing gear and right main landing gear were extended and locked. The airplane was raised and the left main landing gear extended and locked into place. The airplane was subsequently towed to a ramp. A follow-on examination of the landing gear system by another FAA inspector revealed that the gear retraction and extension system operated as intended. During the examination, the gear horn was audibly observed sounding regardless of throttle position. No other abnormalities or malfunctions were detected that would have precluded normal operation.
Video Evidence
Examination of airport security video revealed the airplane crossing the runway threshold while still in flight about 1107. The video showed the airplane's main landing gear was down; however, it could not be conclusively determined if it was locked into place. Immediately after touchdown, the left side of the airplane was observed settling to the runway. Approximately 1 second later, the airplane became airborne again and continued out of the camera's view. A second security camera captured the airplane on the paved runway in a left wing low attitude. It continued down the runway until veering to the left, facing the camera, and coming to rest.