NTSB Factual Report

On March 5, 2011, about 1700 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 210, N9400T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at the Calvada Meadows Airport (NV74), Pahrump, Nevada. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Jean, Nevada, about 1600 with an intended destination of NV74.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that during landing on runway 15, he realized that he had not extended the landing gear after he “felt the belly hit [the runway]” and initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot extended the landing gear. As the airplane ascended through about 150 to 200 feet above ground level, the airplane began to lose power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the landing roll, with the landing gear in the down position, the airplane encountered soft uneven terrain and the airplane nosed over.

Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the vertical stabilizer was bent. The left and right wings were buckled about mid-span and the engine firewall was bent. The inspector reported that examination of the runway revealed numerous gouges within the runway surface that were consistent with a propeller strike.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown and his improper decision to abort a gear-up landing following a propeller strike.