# NTSB DEN85FA010: Cessna T210-H, N6917R, Englewood, CO, October 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1984, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Location: 39.6470° N, 104.9945° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Englewood, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6470&lon=-104.9945&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA010

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - engine assembly - ice (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - panic, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM SCOTTSDALE. HE ENCOUNTERED IMC SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE FLT PROGRESSED UNEVENTFULLY UNTIL IN THE VICINITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS WHEN THE PLT RPTED A PROBLEM WITH HIS DIRECTIONAL GYRO. THE PLT DESCENDED FROM 19000 TO 8000 FT IN CLOUDS, ICING CONDITIONS AND SNOW. TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE PLT BEGAN THE DESCENT HE RADIOED THAT HE HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND WAS 'GETTING ALOT OF SURGING.' TWO MINUTES LATER ALL RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WITH N6917R. EXAM OF THE ACFT ENG AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL ENG OPERATION. DUR TO DAMAGE SUSTAINED IN THE IMPACT, THE POSITION OF THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE FLT WAS DESTUNED FOR BROOMFIELD (JEFFCO ARPT) CO. BUT DIVERTED TO ARAPAHOE ARPT WHEN THE ENG PROBLEM OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6917R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210-H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T210-0317
- Engines: Teledyne Cont TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald R. Moody
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1983
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 265 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 3 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 19841015056179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841015056179A), Oct 15, 1984: Cessna T210H, Englewood, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft impacted ground while being vectored due to surging engine and gyro problem. Induction filter snow packed.

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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