Cessna T210L accident near Fresno, California, June 16, 2013
On June 16, 2013 at about 6:40 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N94086, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fresno, California (Fresno Yosemite International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A hydraulic fluid leak in the nose landing gear actuator rod seal, which prevented the hydraulic system from building up sufficient pressure to fully retract or extend the main landing gear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2013 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Fresno, California · Fresno Yosemite International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N94086 · no longer on the register · serial 21060502
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot/owner reported that, after departing in the airplane for a local flight, he was unable to fully retract the landing gear. He attempted to fully extend the landing gear using the manual extension procedures without success. The pilot then diverted to a nearby airport and conducted a partial gear-up landing. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, aileron, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. During postaccident examination of the landing gear system, the hydraulic reservoir was found empty, the nose landing gear actuator rod seal was found leaking hydraulic fluid, and hydraulic fluid was found on the underside of the fuselage. It is likely that the hydraulic fluid leak prevented the hydraulic system from building up sufficient pressure to extend or retract the main landing gear. The nose gear actuator has no requirement for overhaul or reseal and is considered "on condition."
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during initial climb defining event
- Landing gear not configured during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Hydraulic fluid › Fluid level
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Misc hardware › (general) › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,523 hours in all; 2,100 in this make and model; 3,523 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,156 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 24, 2012; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520 H (piston); 1,460 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 11CA Fowler CA
- Destination: FAT Fresno CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29L, 9,227 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from FAT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.