Cessna 177RG N8029G accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico

Probable cause

The failure of the nose gear hydraulic flex line, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid which prevented the main landing gear from fully extending and locking into place during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane was not performing as expected. He observed that the main landing gear did not fully retract so he diverted to a nearby airport. Despite multiple attempts to cycle the landing gear, which included utilizing the emergency landing gear extension procedures, he was able to extend the nose landing gear, but he was unable to obtain a positive down and locked indication on the main landing gear. As fuel levels decreased, the pilot landed the airplane with the main landing gear in the retracted position.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed hydraulic fluid on the undercarriage of the airplane behind the nose landing gear wheel well. The nose landing gear up hydraulic flex line showed signs of leakage. The hydraulic flex line was disconnected, and pressure tested with 200 ft pounds of nitrogen. A leak in the hydraulic flex line was identified near the top of the line, but well below the fitting. It is likely that the identified leak in the hydraulic line led to a loss of hydraulic fluid and did not allow the main landing gear to extend and lock into place. As a result, the pilot made a gear up landing on the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA323 for the full record.