Incident Overview
On May 16, 2024, at approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P210N airplane, registration N4769K, was substantially damaged during an accident near Daggett, California. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after departing Kingman Airport (IGM) in Kingman, Arizona, the primary flight display began to flicker and displayed incorrect readings. While troubleshooting the display issue, the radio and transponder ceased functioning. The pilot attempted to contact air traffic control and set the transponder to code 7600. He soon recognized that both the radios and transponder were inoperative.
Subsequently, the pilot lowered the landing gear handle and verified via the inspection mirror that the nose landing gear was down and locked. However, the main landing gear had stopped in an intermediate position. Attempts to use the emergency gear extension handle were unsuccessful. The pilot then used an iPad running ForeFlight to divert to Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) in Daggett, California, approximately 90 miles west of his position. He landed with the main landing gear in the transient position, resulting in substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator.
Post-Accident Examination
A mechanic reported that the airplane was moved to a hangar and placed on jacks. When the master switch was turned on, the landing gear pump activated, and the main landing gear extended to the down-and-locked position. The airplane was then repositioned on the ground, but the battery soon discharged. The mechanic noted that the landing gear emergency extension handle was in the down and stowed position upon his arrival.
Several days later, the mechanic prepared the airplane for an engine test run and discovered that the alternator main circuit breaker had tripped (opened). After resetting the breaker and turning on the split-rocker master switch, voltage was observed. The alternator belt was undamaged and properly tensioned. The engine started normally, and the ammeter showed charging. With the engine running at approximately 1,700 RPM, the voltmeter indicated 28.5 to 28.8 VDC, and all lights and avionics operated normally. No shorts to ground or other defects were noted during the test run. The mechanic reported that he could not reproduce the tripping of the alternator breaker.
Landing Gear Emergency Extension System Inspection
The emergency extension system was examined. The pump handle could not be extended from its retracted and stowed position. After backing out the screw attaching the inner handle retaining spring, the inner handle extended normally. No other anomalies were found with the landing gear extension system.