# NTSB CHI87DEM05: Cessna T210L, N999WF, Lawton, MI, December 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1986, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Lawton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.160308, -85.840179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1603&lon=-85.8402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEM05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - autopilot/flight director - undetermined (cause)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - movement restricted (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND WITH ITS LEFT WINGTIP CAUSING IT TO FLIP OVER ONTO ITS SIDE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE AUTO-PLT HAD BEEN WORKED ON AFTER HAVING EXPERIENCED AUTO-PLT RUNAWAYS DURING PREVIOUS FLTS. THE AUTO-PLT WAS BENCH TESTED AFTER THIS ACCIDENT AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N999WF-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 21061032, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061032
- Airframe hours: 2185
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger D. Beyer
- Registered owner: Beyer Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1986, 19 hours before
- Departed: CORN, LAWTON, MI
- Airport: Cornish, runway 18, 2,200 × 95 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 746 total, 36 in this make and model, 746 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 15 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 19861206086419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861206086419A), Dec 6, 1986: Cessna T210L, Lawton, MI, Substantial damage. The pilot reported he lost control of the aircraft on takeoff due to engaged autopilot. No malfunctions noted.

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.