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Accidents · NTSB ERA19LA239 · Final report

Cessna 210 accident near Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 30, 2019

On July 30, 2019 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 210, registered N2362F, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chattanooga, Tennessee (Lovell Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The improper maintenance of the airplane’s landing gear system, which resulted in a hydraulic fluid leak and insufficient pressure to extend and lock the landing gear during the accident flight.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 30, 2019 · about 8:00 pm local time
Place
Chattanooga, Tennessee · Lovell Field Airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 210 E, built 1965 · all 210s on the register
Registration
N2362F · no longer on the register · serial 21058562
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

After takeoff on a cross-country flight, the pilot retracted the landing gear and noted that it would not remain in the up position. He placed the landing gear handle in the neutral position and continued the flight. Upon arrival at his destination, the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear, but the gear did not extend completely and lock even after he performed the landing gear malfunction procedures in the pilot operating handbook. Airport personnel observed that the nose gear was down, and the two main landing gear were partially extended; the airplane landed with the landing gear in that configuration. The airplane decelerated, veered to the right, impacted a taxiway sign, and slid to a stop in the grass, resulting in substantial damage to the right and left horizontal stabilizers.  Postaccident examination of the hydraulic system revealed a low level of hydraulic fluid in its reservoir and evidence of hydraulic fluid seepage near both landing gear actuators and the emergency landing gear-extension handle. The landing gear was extended and retracted by hydraulic pressure; therefore, the low hydraulic fluid level likely prevented the system from developing adequate pressure for the electric pump and the manual gear handle to extend and lock the landing. The airframe manufacturer's service manual indicated that inspection and replenishment of the hydraulic reservoir should be performed every 25 hours and that all rubber parts in the landing gear system should be replaced every 5 years. A review of available maintenance records did not reveal that these recommended inspections and overhauls were performed.

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

  1. Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during initial climb defining event
  2. Abnormal runway contact during landing
  3. Landing gear not configured during landing
  4. Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear extension and retract sys › Malfunction
  • factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Hydraulic fluid › Fluid level
  • factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Hydraulic fluid › Inadequate inspection
  • factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 123.8 hours in all; 83.9 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 57.5 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: March 6, 2019
  • Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

Passenger

  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

Passenger

  • Seat: rear
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 4,950.3 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, October 10, 2018; 80 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,097 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Continental IO 520-A (piston); 3,024 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: DTS Destin FL at 4:20 pm
  • Destination: 2A0 Dayton TN
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 20, 7,400 ft by 150 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,000 ft
  • Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
  • Observation at 7:53 pm from CHA

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers2

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

7 documents, released by the NTSB on October 7, 2019. 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.

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.