Accident Overview
On February 20, 2021, at about 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna P210N, registration N210GE, was substantially damaged during a landing accident near Bartow, Florida. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal operation under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, the airplane's engine oil had been changed earlier that day. While climbing through 5,000 ft mean sea level, he heard a "clicking" sound occurring approximately every minute. The sound coincided with the analog oil temperature and oil pressure gauges pegging to the right and the ammeter pegging to the left, indicating a full discharge. The pilot checked the circuit breakers and fuses but found no anomalies.
The airplane reached 14,000 ft msl over Gainesville, Florida, when the pilot decided to return to the departure airport rather than continue over mountains at night with a possible electrical problem. The clicking sound subsided during the return. The pilot extended the landing gear, flaps, and speed brakes. He visually confirmed the landing gear was down by looking out the window but did not check the gear indicator light on the instrument panel.
Upon touchdown, the pilot reported that the tail seemed to "fall out" from under him. The airplane leaned to the left and continued in a straight path until stopping. He shut down the engine and egressed. A post-landing inspection revealed the nose landing gear was properly extended, but both main landing gear had collapsed. The horizontal stabilizer, left wing, and fuselage were damaged.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane showed that the landing gear hydraulic fluid reservoir was empty. The reservoir was filled with hydraulic fluid, and the airplane was placed on jacks for a landing gear swing test. With the master switch on, the landing gear handle was moved to the up position; the gear retracted normally and locked. The handle was then moved to the down position; the gear extended and locked, with the green indicator light illuminated. However, a drop of hydraulic fluid was observed on the ground under the left main landing gear after the test. Removal of the inspection panel from the left main landing gear down lock actuator revealed hydraulic fluid leaking from the actuator.