# NTSB DEN02LA012: Cessna T210N, N210GB, Montrose, CO, November 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 16, 2001, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Montrose, CO - Coordinates: 38.578056, -107.988052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5781&lon=-107.9881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN02LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53782/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA012 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - other ## Analysis The pilot said that he departed on runway 31 at approximately 1415, and the takeoff seemed normal. He said that at approximately 1,500 feet above ground level he reduced the throttle for cruise, reduced the propeller control, and adjusted his fuel mixture. He noticed the manifold pressure rapidly dropped to approximately 15 inches of mercury pressure. He switched fuel tanks and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, believing that there was a vapor lock in the fuel line. The engine lost power, and the propeller continued to windmill. He pressed the boost pump switch and pulled the throttle out about an inch. The engine still did not restart, so he performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing attempt, the airplane was substantially damaged, and subsequently consumed by fire. Postaccident investigation of the airframe and the engine revealed no anomalies which might have affected the airplane's performance before the accident. Eight spark plugs were found black and sooty, and four were found wet. A witness, who observed the takeoff, said that the airplane trailed dark smoke during its takeoff roll and climb out. ## Factual narrative On November 16, 2001, at approximately 1415 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210N, N210GB, was destroyed during a postimpact fire following a power loss and subsequent forced landing near Montrose, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant on the airplane, received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight that was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, but the pilot said that his planned destination was Placerville, California. The pilot said that the first leg of his trip from Kansas City, Kansas, to Placerville, California, was uneventful. He was on the ground at Montrose, Colorado, for approximately 30 minutes for fuel and a rest stop. The pilot said that he departed on runway 31 at approximately 1415, and the takeoff seemed normal. During a telephone conversation, he said that at approximately 1,500 feet above ground level (agl) he reduced the throttle for cruise, reduced the propeller control, and adjusted his fuel mixture. He moved his hand to change a radio frequency when the manifold pressure rapidly dropped to approximately 15 inches of mercury. He switched fuel tanks and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, believing that there was a vapor lock in the fuel line. The pilot reported that the engine lost power, and the propeller continued to windmill. He pressed the boost pump switch and pulled the throttle out about an inch. The engine still did not restart; he performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane crossed a creek, and the nose wheel landing gear collapsed under the airplane. He noticed fire around his feet, and immediately exited the airplane. The airplane was consumed by postimpact fire. Postaccident investigation of the airframe and the engine by an FAA inspector, as well as an engine and airframe manufacturer representatives revealed no anomalies which might have affected the airplane's performance before the accident. The engine manufacturer’s representative did find that eight spark plugs were very black and sooty, and four spark plugs wet. A witness, who observed the takeoff, said that the airplane trailed dark smoke during its takeoff roll and climb out. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N210GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N210GB-2004-09-27), registration cancelled 2004-09-27, S/N T210-63564, built 1979 (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: T210-63564 - Airframe hours: 2628 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520R 310 hp reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Floyd E. Bowen Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 2001, 52 hours before - Departed: MTJ, Montrose, CO - Destination: 01CL, Placerville, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review September 26, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 52 in this make and model, 457 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: MTF, 5 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 20011116031829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011116031829A), Nov 16, 2001: Cessna T210N, Montrose, CO, No damage. (-23) On November 16, 2001, pilot floyd bowen departed Montrose, CO, for placerville, CA, in his Cessna 210, N210GB. Shortly after takeoff, he said the engine… 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.