# NTSB DEN85FA120: Cessna P210N, N6208W, Laporte, CO, April 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1985, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Laporte, CO
- Coordinates: 40.729686, -105.179336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7297&lon=-105.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA120

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS A BUSINESS MAN, INVOLVED IN BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION WORK. ON THE MORNING OF THE ACDNT, HE HAD BREAKFAST WITH FRIENDS WHO SAID HE WAS IN GOOD SPIRITS & WAS GOING TO FLY BEFORE GOING TO WORK. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACDNT SITE SAW THE ACFT FLYING IN THE AREA. THEY THOUGHT THE PLT MAY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A ROCK QUARRY THEY HAD FOR FOR SALE OR WAS INTERESTED IN A NEARBY SITE FOR A RECENTLY PROPOSED RESERVOIR. A UNICOM OPERATOR RECEIVED A DISTRESS CALL FROM THE PLT STATING HE HAD A 'STUCK ELEVATOR' & WAS GOING TO MAKE AN EMERG LNDG. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A ROCK WALL, APRX 100' BELOW A RIDGE LINE & 800' ABOVE A NEARBY VALLEY FLOOR. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A NOSE-LEVEL, SLIGHTLY R WING LOW ATTITUDE WHILE AT HI SPEED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND; HOWEVER, THE ACFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTOYED BY IMPACT. A SUBSEQUENT CORONER'S INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD FINANCIAL PROBLEMS& LISTED HIS DEATH AS SUICIDE; HOWEVER, THE PLT HAD MADE NO KNOWN DECLARATION OF INTENT TO PERFORM SUCH AN ACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6208W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6208W-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N P21000731, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000731
- Airframe hours: 305
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Betzing Management Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,036 total, 324 in this make and model, 1,767 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCL, 13 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 19850422015769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850422015769A), Apr 22, 1985: Cessna P210N, Laporte, CO, Destroyed. Declared emergency and flew into rock face of a ridge. Ruled a suicide.

## Other investigations on N6208W (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN81FTE72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTE72), Sep 26, 1981: Cessna 210 (N6208W), Rifle, CO, substantial damage

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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