Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remove the airplane's tow bar before takeoff.
NTSB analysis
Shortly after takeoff and following the landing gear retraction, the pilot realized that he failed to remove the tow bar from the airplane's nose landing gear. After multiple failed attempts to extend the airplane's nose landing gear, the pilot elected to retract the main landing gear and perform a gear-up landing. The airplane's fuselage and right aileron sustained damage during the landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA125 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 10, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Albuquerque International (ABQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna T210L
- N-number
- N211LC
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.