Cessna 210F N1854F accident near Anoka, Minnesota

Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear to fully extend due to insufficient hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system as a result of inadequate maintenance by the airplane owner.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, reported that the airplane's landing gear did not fully retract when he raised the gear handle after takeoff. He attempted to lower the landing gear using emergency procedures without success. He subsequently conducted a full-flap landing, and as the airplane settled onto the runway, the main landing gear retracted into the landing gear bay. The airplane veered off the runway and the right horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged as the airplane skidded to a stop.

Examination of the airplane revealed that there was insufficient hydraulic fluid in the system to manually pump the landing gear into the fully-extended position. The pilot reported that the airplane's hydraulic system had been over-pressurized by a mechanic a few years before the accident and that there had been trouble with hydraulic leaks ever since. He reported that he added hydraulic fluid to the reservoir every 12 flight hours; however, there were no aircraft maintenance logbook entries concerning the work performed. He also reported that, a few days before the accident, he had filled the hydraulic reservoir and then flew the airplane for between 45 and 60 minutes. He did not recheck the hydraulic fluid level after that flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17LA212 for the full record.