# NTSB CEN09LA031: Cessna 180, N3389D, Whitewater, CO, October 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 22, 2008, 08:57 local (14:57 UTC) - Place: Whitewater, CO - Coordinates: 38.943611, -108.349723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9436&lon=-108.3497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Enroute-descent: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Enroute-climb to cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 69333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69333/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA031 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) Both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing factors in this accident were the Cessna 180 pilot's attention being diverted and the Cessna 210 pilot's vision being affected by the sun glare. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) Both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing factors in this accident were the Cessna 180 pilot's attention being diverted and the Cessna 210 pilot's vision being affected by the sun glare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) According to the pilot of the Cessna 180, he was descending westbound from 16,500 feet to 8,500 feet. As he passed 10,500 feet, he peered out the passenger window, hoping to catch a glimpse of deer. At approximately 10,000 feet, his passenger yelled and he saw the other airplane approaching head-on. He dove his airplane, then felt an impact. He made a forced landing in a field and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot of the other airplane, he was climbing eastbound between 9,500 and 10,500 feet into the sun when he heard a loud "bang" and thought that he had struck a bird. He elected to return to the airport to have the damage assessed. After several unsuccessful attempts to lower the nose gear, the pilot landed the airplane with the nose gear up. The airplane skidded on its nose for approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) According to the pilot of the Cessna 180, he was descending westbound from 16,500 feet to 8,500 feet. As he passed 10,500 feet, he peered out the passenger window, hoping to catch a glimpse of deer. At approximately 10,000 feet, his passenger yelled and he saw the other airplane approaching head-on. He dove his airplane, then felt an impact. He made a forced landing in a field and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot of the other airplane, he was climbing eastbound between 9,500 and 10,500 feet into the sun when he heard a loud "bang" and thought that he had struck a bird. He elected to return to the airport to have the damage assessed. After several unsuccessful attempts to lower the nose gear, the pilot landed the airplane with the nose gear up. The airplane skidded on its nose for approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 22, 2008, at 0857 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3389D, registered to and operated by Meil Del Rio Grande, Inc. Monte Vista, Colorado, and a Cessna P210N, N731NX, registered to and operated by Mesa County, Grand Junction, Colorado, collided in mid air over Whitewater, Colorado, approximately 14 miles south of Grand Junction. The Cessna 180 was substantially damaged; the Cessna P210N sustained minor damage. The two occupants aboard the Cessna 180 and the four occupants aboard the Cessna P210N escaped injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Cessna 180 was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. It was on a personal flight that originated at Del Norte (1V8), Colorado, at 0724, and was en route to Aberdeen (U36), Idaho, with a planned refueling stop at Vernal (VEL), Utah. The Cessna P210N was a public use (prisoner transfer) flight that originated at Grand Junction (GJT), at 0827, and was en route to Florence (1V6), Colorado. The pilot of the Cessna 180 did not file plan. The pilot of the Cessna P210N had filed and activated a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. According to the pilot of the Cessna 180, he was descending westbound from 16,500 feet to 8,500 feet. As he passed 10,500 feet, he peered out the passenger window, hoping to catch a glimpse of deer. Approximately 10,000 feet, his passenger yelled and he saw N731NX approaching head-on. He dove his airplane, then felt an impact. The airplane yawed 270 degrees and began to roll right. He said had no rudder control and by using full left aileron, he was able to maintain a wings-level attitude. He made a forced landing in a field and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said that the top two-thirds of the vertical stabilizer was missing. According to the pilot of the Cessna P210N, he was climbing eastbound between 9,500 and 10,500 feet when he heard a loud "bang" and thought he had struck a bird. He said they were flying into the sun, and he nor his passengers saw the airplane. He elected to return to GJT to have the damage assessed. Upon extending the landing gear, a RED UNSAFE light illuminated for the nose gear. Control tower personnel confirmed the nose gear was not extended. After several unsuccessful attempts to lower the nose gear, the pilot landed the airplane nose gear up. It skidded on its nose for approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop.. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 22, 2008, at 0857 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3389D, registered to and operated by Meil Del Rio Grande, Inc. Monte Vista, Colorado, and a Cessna P210N, N731NX, registered to and operated by Mesa County, Grand Junction, Colorado, collided in mid air over Whitewater, Colorado, approximately 14 miles south of Grand Junction. The Cessna 180 was substantially damaged; the Cessna P210N sustained minor damage. The two occupants aboard the Cessna 180 and the four occupants aboard the Cessna P210N escaped injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Cessna 180 was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. It was on a personal flight that originated at Del Norte (1V8), Colorado, at 0724, and was en route to Aberdeen (U36), Idaho, with a planned refueling stop at Vernal (VEL), Utah. The Cessna P210N was a public use (prisoner transfer) flight that originated at Grand Junction (GJT), at 0827, and was en route to Florence (1V6), Colorado. The pilot of the Cessna 180 did not file plan. The pilot of the Cessna P210N had filed and activated a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. According to the pilot of the Cessna 180, he was descending westbound from 16,500 feet to 8,500 feet. As he passed 10,500 feet, he peered out the passenger window, hoping to catch a glimpse of deer. Approximately 10,000 feet, his passenger yelled and he saw N731NX approaching head-on. He dove his airplane, then felt an impact. The airplane yawed 270 degrees and began to roll right. He said had no rudder control and by using full left aileron, he was able to maintain a wings-level attitude. He made a forced landing in a field and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said that the top two-thirds of the vertical stabilizer was missing. According to the pilot of the Cessna P210N, he was climbing eastbound between 9,500 and 10,500 feet when he heard a loud "bang" and thought he had struck a bird. He said they were flying into the sun, and he nor his passengers saw the airplane. He elected to return to GJT to have the damage assessed. Upon extending the landing gear, a RED UNSAFE light illuminated for the nose gear. Control tower personnel confirmed the nose gear was not extended. After several unsuccessful attempts to lower the nose gear, the pilot landed the airplane nose gear up. It skidded on its nose for approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3389D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3389D), registered now, S/N 32187, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32187 - Airframe hours: 4550 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Miel Del Rio Grande, Inc. - Registered owner: Miel Del Rio Grande, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 2008, 51 hours before - Departed: 8V1, Del Norte, CO - Destination: VNL, Vernal, UT ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N731NX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731NX), registered now, S/N P21000515, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000515 - Airframe hours: 8093 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Operator: Mesa County - Registered owner: Mesa County - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008, 33 hours before - Departed: GJT, Grand Junction, CO - Destination: 1V6, Florence, CO - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3389D; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 8,840 total, 400 in this make and model, 7,600 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N731NX; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, student, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 18,239 total, 5,593 in this make and model, 17,969 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.52 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 21 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20081022851371A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081022851371A), Oct 22, 2008: Cessna 180, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) At 0738 MST, on October 22, 2008, and approximately 14NM southeast of the Grand Junction airport (gjt), N3389D struck N731NX while traveling 120 knots… - [Accident 20081022851392A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081022851392A), Oct 22, 2008: Cessna P210N, Grand Junction, CO, Minor damage. (-23) At 0738MST, on October 22, 2008, and approximately 14 miles southeast of Grand Junction airport (gjt), N731NX impacted with N3389D while N731NX was in a… ## Other investigations on N3389D (2) 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. - [NTSB DEN84LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA056), Dec 30, 1983: Cessna 180 (N3389D), Florissant, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X3429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3429), Aug 16, 1964: Cessna 180 (N3389D), Sterling, CO, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.