April 19, 2012, Gatlinburg, Tenn., Cessna 210 Centurion

At 1715 Eastern time, the airplane’s main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Upon lowering the landing gear at his destination, the pilot noticed the hydraulic unit stayed on and he did not have a green landing gear light. He confirmed the nose wheel was extended but both main landing gear were only partially extended. After attempting the emergency landing gear extension several times with negative results. After speaking with a mechanic by radio, the pilot attempted to refill the hydraulic reservoir.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A private pilot experienced a main landing gear collapse during landing, resulting in substantial aircraft damage but no injuries.
The incident stemmed from a hydraulic issue that left the main landing gear only partially extended, despite the pilot's numerous attempts to rectify it.
These attempts included emergency gear extension, recycling the gear, negative-g maneuvers, and an in-flight replenishment of the hydraulic reservoir while on autopilot.
During the final landing, with only the nose wheel fully extended and the main gear partially extended, the airplane veered off the runway.

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Upon lowering the landing gear at his destination, the pilot noticed the hydraulic unit stayed on and he did not have a green landing gear light. He confirmed the nose wheel was extended but both main landing gear were only partially extended. After attempting the emergency landing gear extension several times with negative results. After speaking with a mechanic by radio, the pilot attempted to refill the hydraulic reservoir. With the autopilot engaged, the pilot went to the back of the airplane, retrieved some oil and added it to the reservoir. He then attempted to recycle the landing gear, with negative results. The pilot then attempted some negative-g maneuvers without result. During the subsequent landing, with the nosewheel down and the main landing gear partially extended, the airplane veered to the left off the side of the runway.