N761UV

On October 30, 2001, at 1040 central standard time, a Cessna T210M, N761UV, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a wheels-up landing at the Salem-Leckrone Airport, Salem, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was on an instrument rules flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from the Oswego County Airport, Oswego, New York, about 0740 eastern standard time.

In his written statement, the pilot said that while approaching to land he was unable to lower the landing gear. He said that he attempted to lower the landing gear using the emergency extension system. He said that he could smell hydraulic fluid.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a hydraulic hose on the nose gear door actuator had failed and allowed hydraulic fluid to leak from the gear retraction system. The emergency landing gear extension system uses a hand actuated hydraulic pump to extend the landing gear. The Cessna Service Manual states that the hydraulic hoses in the landing gear retraction system are to be inspected and replaced as required every 5 years or 1,000 hours. A review of the aircraft logbook entries dating back 6 years was performed. No entry indicating that the failed hose had been replaced was found.