# NTSB CEN12CA564: Cessna T210N, N85S, Boulder, CO, August 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2012, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO - Coordinates: 40.039165, -105.225555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0392&lon=-105.2256&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 84761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA564 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84761/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84761 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA564 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to continue the unstable approach, which resulted in a loss of control during landing and a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he overshot the final approach to the runway and had to maneuver the airplane back to the final approach course. Because the airplane was high on the approach, he extended 30 degrees of flaps and descended at an airspeed of between 80 and 85 knots. The pilot stated that he thought that the approach was not stabilized; however, he continued the approach and landed. The pilot further stated that, during the landing roll, he thought that the airplane was being pushed by a strong tailwind and that he was unable to stop the airplane before the end of the runway. The airplane departed the runway, went down an embankment, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and both wings. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was returning to the airport to land on runway 8. He stated that he overshot the final approach and had to maneuver the airplane back to the final approach course. The airplane was high on the approach so he extended 30 degrees of flaps and descended at an airspeed between 80 and 85 knots. The pilot stated that he felt that the approach was not stabilized; however, he continued the approach and landed. During the landing roll the pilot felt that he was being pushed by a strong tailwind and was unable to stop the airplane before the end of the runway. The airplane departed the runway environment to the right, went down a 65 foot embankment, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and both wings. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. Wind at the time of the accident was recorded as 340 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85S-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 21063107, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N - Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21063107 - Airframe hours: 5391.4 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 2012 - Departed: KBDU, Boulder, CO - Destination: KBDU, Boulder, CO - Airport: KBDU, Boulder Municipal Airport, runway 08, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 2,308 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,145 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KBDU, 1 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 20120822018609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120822018609A), Aug 22, 2012: Cessna T210N, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. On 08/22/2012 at approximately 1020 hrs. MDT, N85S a Cessna model T210N centurion aircraft sustained substantial damage while landing at Boulder Municipal… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84761. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.