Event LAX05LA251

Factual narrative

On July 30, 2005, about 2002 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 210A, N9468X, landed on runway 27R at the Gillespie Field, San Diego, California, with the landing gear partially extended. During rollout, the landing gear collapsed. The airplane was owned by a private individual, and it was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Long Beach, California, about 1730. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that earlier during the week the landing gear had been examined. Thereafter, he flew the borrowed airplane to Long Beach. No evidence of a mechanical malfunction was noted with the landing gear system during his takeoff from Long Beach. According to the pilot, on approach to the Gillespie Field he was distracted, and he did not observe whether the green gear down light was illuminating after he extended the landing gear. When the pilot reduced the throttle during the approach, he did not hear any gear warning horn. During the landing rollout, the partially extended landing gear collapsed, and the horizontal stabilizer bent upon impacting the runway. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report" he indicated that during his approach for landing he was advised of another airplane ahead and below his position. The pilot reported that he was unable to locate the other airplane until he was on final approach. The other airplane made a long landing on the runway, which resulted in the accident pilot adding engine power for a possible go-around. The pilot reported "at that moment" the other airplane turned off the runway, and he was cleared to land. The pilot closed the throttle, flared, and touched down on the main wheels. Shortly after that he allowed the nose wheel to touch down, and the main landing gear collapsed. The airport manager reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that under her direction the accident airplane was removed from the runway. A crane hoisted the airplane up and the landing gear was extended. The airplane was rolled off the runway without further difficulty. On August 8, 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator verbally reported to the Safety Board investigator that the airplane had been examined. The landing gear was hydraulically raised and lowered. No anomalies were noted with its operation. The landing gear warning horn system was also functionally examined, and it operated normally. The partially extended landing gear collapsed during rollout on the runway. No evidence of a mechanical malfunction was noted with the landing gear system during the pilot's flight. The pilot said that on approach he was distracted while looking for another airplane, and he did not observe whether the green gear down light was illuminated after he extended the landing gear. He increased engine power in anticipation of performing a go-around, then located the other airplane, whereupon he closed the throttle and landed. Seconds later during rollout, the airplane's landing gear collapsed. Airport management reported that the airplane was subsequently hoisted up by a crane, the landing gear was manually extended into the locked position, and the airplane was rolled off the runway. The landing gear extension system and the related gear warning horn were functionally examined after the accident with no anomalies found. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12