# NTSB DEN82FA017: Cessna 210N, N6558A, Riverton, WY, January 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1982, 19:11 local (Jan 12, 1982, 02:11 UTC)
- Place: Riverton, WY
- Location: 43.0263° N, 108.3813° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Riverton, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0263&lon=-108.3813&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - failure,total
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - separation

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED A HILL IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 8,000 FT BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 28 & 1,800 FT LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE EXTENDED. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55 FT ABOVE THE AIRPORT ELEVATION. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING A SNOW STORM. THE FLT HAD ORIGINALLY DEPARTED JACKSON,WY EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT DIVERTED TO RIVERTON DUE TO AN OIL LEAK CAUSED BY THE OIL CAP NOT BEING IN PLACE. THE FLT REMAINED IN RIVERTON APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS WHILE THE ACFT & ENG WAS BEING CLEANED. PRIOR TO DEPARTING JACKSON WITNESSES STATED THE PLT WAS "SOMEWHAT RUSHED & ANXIOUS TO DEPART JACKSON" & "THE MAN HAD A BAD CASE OF WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL GET-HOME-ITIS, & HE WAS GOING WHETHER IT WAS VFR OR IFR." THE ACFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 253 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT.BOTH INBOARD CLOTH SEAT BELTS SEPARATED AT THE JUNCTURE WHERE THEY PASS THROUGH THE METAL GUIDES LOCATED ON THE SIDES OF EACH SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6558A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6558A-1983-04-29), registration cancelled 1983-04-29, S/N 21063551 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210N
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063551
- Airframe hours: 450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Peterson
- Registered owner: Robert H. Peterson
- Departed: RIVERTON, WY
- Destination: WAHPETON, ND
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Riverton Regional, runway 28, 8,200 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 737 total, 388 in this make and model, 615 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIW

## 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 19820111000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820111000919A), Jan 11, 1982: Cessna 210N, Riverton, WY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft crashed 1-3/4 miles from end of runway during attempt to takeoff in heavy snow conditions.

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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