Probable cause
The failure of the right main landing gear (MLG) down-lock mechanism due to an out-of-tolerance down-lock hook, which resulted in the collapse of the right MLG during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot configured the airplane for a straight-in approach when it was about 8 nautical miles from the destination airport. He verified that both main landing gear were down and locked by seeing that the landing gear indicator light had illuminated and by looking in a mirror mounted on the right wing and seeing that the gear were down. After a normal touchdown and during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer right, which the pilot believed was likely due to a flat tire. He then shut down the engine and steered the airplane to a grassy area adjacent to the runway.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear (MLG) had collapsed and that the right aileron and right elevator had sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the landing gear system revealed that the right MLG's down-lock hook exceeded the airplane manufacturer's maximum tolerance and that it was not over center, which is required for the landing gear to remain in the locked position. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the out-of-tolerance down-lock hook prevented the right MLG from locking after the pilot deployed the landing gear and resulted in the right MLG collapsing during the landing roll.
The airplane service manual states that the proper rigging of the MLG down-lock mechanism should be verified every 200 hours. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed no entries related to the rigging, which is not always documented in the maintenance logbook following each service. Therefore, it could not be determined whether a maintenance event led to the out-of tolerance right MLG down-hook or if it became out of tolerance over time.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR18LA022 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 28, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mount Vernon, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Skagit Rgnl (BVS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna P210N
- N-number
- N6582P
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.