Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 85; Flight Crew Total 450; Flight Crew Type 35
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Excursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
I approached the airport on an IFR flight plan and was vectored to intercept ILS 32. Preparing to land; I lowered the landing gear. The gear came down; but the green light did not illuminate. I recycled the gear several times. Each time the gear came down; but the green light did not come on. I observed directly the left gear in its normal and proper place. By looking at a mirror on the left wing I could also see the nose and right gear. They also seemed to be properly in place. I double checked the circuit breakers which were all properly in place. I opted to fly the missed and explained to tower I was concerned about the gear. They asked me to maintain 2;300 MSL and fly the runway heading so they could visually inspect the gear. Tower said the gear appeared to be properly in place. They asked me to fly a right downwind to Runway 32 so they could also observe the gear from the other side. I did so. They again confirmed the gear appeared to be down and in proper position. On a previous flight the lens of the gear light was twisted so the light was not visible. I thought there may be a similar problem this time; but upon twisting the light I could get it to illuminate but not stay on. Because I was able to visually see the gear down and the gear appeared in proper position and because the Tower stated the gear were down and appeared to be in the proper position; I elected to land and assumed the gear light was faulty. I landed very gently and two main tires touched the ground. I kept the nose high as I slowed. The right side began to feel mushy and it soon became apparent the right gear was collapsing. By this point; the forward speed was slow and I attempted to keep the wings level. However; I was unable to maintain directional control as the airplane began veering to the right. The airplane ran about 10 feet off the right side of the runway and gently came to a stop. The propeller and wings never struck the ground; but the right elevator gently scraped the ground as the plane came to rest. I was uninjured and the only damage to the airplane appears to be minor scraping on the outer edge of the right elevator and some balding of the right tire. The landing gear problem is being investigated.
A C210 pilot was unable to obtain a green landing gear safe light after repeated cycles. Upon landing the right main gear slowly collapsed resulting in a runway excursion and minor damage to the aircraft.