Cessna T210 N501SF accident near Eugene, Oregon

Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear electric motor to shut off after landing gear retraction, which resulted in the motor overheating, burning out, and producing smoke in the cockpit. The pilot’s decision to land with the landing gear retracted resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.

NTSB analysis

Shortly after departing on a solo flight, at an altitude of about 3,000 ft mean sea level, the student pilot detected smoke in the cockpit. He immediately returned to the departure airport and landed gear up, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot stated that he chose to land with the gear up because he believed the airplane was on fire and “…just wanted to get the airplane on the ground.” The pilot did not report any other mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A postaccident examination of the landing gear system revealed that the electric motor that powered the hydraulic power pack likely remained powered after the landing gear had been retracted. When the motor failed to shut off, it overheated and burned out, which likely resulted in smoke entering the cockpit. The reason for the motor anomaly could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19LA237 for the full record.