Cessna P210N accident near Palm Springs, California, June 4, 2022
On June 4, 2022 at about 6:48 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna P210N, registered N4752K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs Intl 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 failure of the pilot to ensure the landing gear was down and locked before landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2022 · about 6:48 pm local time
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · Palm Springs Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N, built 1979 · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4752K · registry record · serial P21000283
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the approach, the pilot stated that he extended the landing gear and he received a down-and-locked green light indication. He also stated that he visually verified that the landing gear was extended. The touchdown was normal, but firm, and shortly thereafter, the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered off the runway about midfield and came to rest in the area between the taxiway and runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s landing gear system revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the landing gear. With the airplane on jacks, several cycles of the landing gear were accomplished and the landing gear warning horn audio and indicator lights operated properly. Additionally, the landing gear circuit breakers remained closed during the examination and the hydraulic system fluid level was full. According to witnesses, who were working on the airport ramp, the nose gear appeared to be down and locked but the main landing gear was only partially extended for the approach and landing. It is likely that the pilot did not position the landing gear to the down position in a timely manner and it was not yet in the fully extended position when the airplane touched down. The results from the airplane examination, witnesses’ observations, and the outer edge markings on the main tires, were all consistent with the main landing gear not being fully extended and locked during 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 collapse during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring equip/instruments › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,650 hours in all; 2,450 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 2,580 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 6, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 11, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 450 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GJT Grand Junction CO at 9:00 am
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 31R, 4,952 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KPSP
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPSP 041853Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 34/07 A2977 RMK AO2 SLP078 T03390067
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 April 10, 2024. 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 | Record of Conversation - Witnesses | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Landing Gear Examination Summary | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Poh-afm Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.