Wheels up landing involving a Cessna 210L, VH-SKQ, Karratha Aerodrome, Western Australia, on 15 February 1997

When the landing gear was selected down on arrival at Karratha, the green down and locked light did not illuminate. The light tested serviceable on the press to test function. The landing gear motor kept running until the landing gear circuit breaker tripped. The pilot ascertained that the main landing gear was down and locked but not the nose landing gear.

The pilot then climbed the aircraft to 1,500 ft and held north of the aerodrome. He checked the hydraulic fluid level, which was satisfactory, and then cycled the landing gear approximately 15 times but still with the same result. He then made a touch and go landing in an attempt to jar the nose gear down, but this also was unsuccessful. The pilot also attempted to pump the nose gear down by the emergency lowering system, again with no success.

After briefing his passengers, the pilot landed the aircraft with the nose gear retracted. Subsequent investigation revealed a fault with one of the nose gear doors which resulted in the door jamming the nose gear in the up position.