# NTSB DEN84LA203: Cessna 210L, N1790X, Recluse, WY, June 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1984, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Recluse, WY
- Coordinates: 44.770557, -105.699523 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7706&lon=-105.6995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA203

## 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
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A GRASS STRIP THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. HE COULD NOT THEN DEFINE THE STRIP FROM THE REMAINING AREA OF THE FIELD DUE TO THE TALL GRASS. HE APPLIED FULL RIGHT RUDDER BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT & WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 52 MPH. HE PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL YOKE TO AVOID A 15 FT HIGH BERM. THE ACFT FLEW OVER THE BERM & A SMALL POND & STALLED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE EFFECT GRASS HAS ON AN ACFT & PLANNED TO GET MORE INSTRUCTION ON SOFT FIELD PROCEDURES. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 5400 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1790X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060810
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Solie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 1984, 17 hours before
- Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Recluse

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 270 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

## 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 19840630028129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840630028129A), Jun 30, 1984: Cessna 210L, Recluse, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff in field with high grass. The airplane would not accelerate to takeoff speed.

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.
