Cessna 210B accident near Pueblo, Colorado, October 18, 2023
On October 18, 2023 at about 11:36 pm local time, a 1962 Cessna 210B, registered N9597X, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Pueblo, Colorado (Pueblo Memorial Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The fatigue failure of the right main landing gear hydraulic actuator, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid that prevented the pilot from lowering the landing gear to the fully extended position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 2023 · about 11:36 pm local time
- Place
- Pueblo, Colorado · Pueblo Memorial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210B, built 1962 · all 210Bs on the register
- Registration
- N9597X · registry record · serial 21057897
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during landing gear retraction after takeoff, he heard a “pop” from the rear cockpit area, and the landing gear retraction handle did not return to the center position as expected. He attempted to extend the landing gear, but they would not extend. He performed the emergency extension procedures; the landing gear doors opened, and the landing gear came out of their respective landing gear wells. However, only the nose landing gear locked into the down position, and the main landing gear remained partially extended. During the landing, the airplane skidded to a stop and incurred substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane found the right hydraulic actuator had a fatigue crack that initiated along the retaining ring groove of the actuator that rendered the actuator inoperable and resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid from the system. Due to the loss of fluid, neither the primary system nor the emergency system could lower and lock all the landing gear in place for landing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing gear not configured during landing
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,818 hours in all; 418 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,546 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,279 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-S1 (piston); 1,196 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KPUB Pueblo CO at 8:47 pm
- Destination: KLHX La Junta CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08R, 10,498 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KPUB
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPUB 182253Z 13006KT 10SM CLR 21/M01 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP152 T02061011=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 30, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 22 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.