# NTSB ATL90FA038: Cessna T210N, N5417C, Spindale, NC, December 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1989, 12:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Spindale, NC
- Coordinates: 35.360328, -81.920509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3603&lon=-81.9205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA038

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE WHICH RESULTED IN DESCENT BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTINGFACTOR(S) WAS: THE FOG AND LOW CEILING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

AT 1246, DURING THE VOR APPROACH, THE PILOT ADVISED HE WAS GOING TO MAKE A 360 DEG TURN. AT 1250 HE ADVISED '...WE'RE GOT HER ALL SET UP.' AT 1256, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS '...HAVING A HELL OF A TIME...HERE'. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES AND A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE 4 MILES SE OF THE AIRPORT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE CIRCLED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THREE OF THE SEVEN OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. BASIC WEATHER DATA ABOVE WAS REPORTED AT GREER, SC, 34 MILES SW. WITNESSES IN AREA OF ACCIDENT REPORTED LOW CEILING & FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5417C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5417C-1990-10-18), registration cancelled 1990-10-18, S/N 21063746 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063746
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Philip R. Riley
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Destination: 57A, RUTHERFORDTON, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 57A, Rutherford County, runway 36, 4,400 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 587 total, 306 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 34 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 19891210049499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891210049499A), Dec 10, 1989: Cessna T210N, Rutherfordton, NC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Indicates pilot lost control on VOR approach. Crashed into trees and a house.

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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