# NTSB ATL84FA092: Cessna 210, N8437Z, Newport News, VA, February 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1984, 20:33 local (Feb 5, 1984, 01:33 UTC)
- Place: Newport News, VA
- Coordinates: 37.110435, -76.520385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1104&lon=-76.5204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA092

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - vacuum system - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - inoperative
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - inoperative
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR APRX 38 MINS WHEN THE PILOT BEGAN EXPERIENCING COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS. NINE MINUTES LATER THE PILOT REPORTED 'INSTRUMENT PROBLEMS' AND BEGAN TO RECEIVE RADAR VECTORS TO A LANDING. 15 MINUTES LATER SHE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND SAID HER MAG COMPASS AND DIRECTIONAL GYRO HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND BEGAN RECEIVING NO GYRO RADAR VECTORS AT 1000 FEET MSL. AFTER RECEIVING THREE NO GYRO TURNS SHE WAS INSTRUCTED TO 'STOP TURN.' TWENTY FIVE SECONDS LATER SHE SAID 'I'M, I'M STARTING TO SPIN.' NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED APRX 3 MILES WEST OF THE INTENDED LANDING AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR, THE DIRECTIONAL GYRO, BOTH VACUUM PUMPS AND RELATED COMPONENTS INDICATED THAT THEY WERE FUNCTIONING UPON IMPACT. THE ACCURACY OF THE INSTRUMENT INDICATIONS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED HOWEVER, DUE TO IMPACT DAMAGE. AIRCRAFT LOGS REVEALED NO PREVIOUS INSTRUMENT SYSTEM WRITE-UPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8437Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8437Z-1990-02-05), registration cancelled 1990-02-05, S/N 2050437 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2050437
- Airframe hours: 3558
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilton II Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1983, 51 hours before
- Departed: IAD, WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHF, Patrick Henry, runway 7, 8,003 × 15 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,519 total, 2,079 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF, 3 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840204062779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840204062779A), Feb 4, 1984: Cessna 2105, Newport News, VA, Destroyed. Reported loss of gyros then lost control during vectors. Stalled and spun in. No instrument defects found.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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