# NTSB DEN85LA164: Cessna T210J, N2282R, Moab, UT, June 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1985, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Moab, UT
- Coordinates: 38.530151, -109.549247 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5302&lon=-109.5492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & A PASSENGER MADE A LOW LEVEL PASS OVER THE COLORADO RIVER TO DROP A PACKAGE TO FRIENDS, WHO WERE RAFTING ON THE RIVER. THE RIVER WAS IN A CANYON WITH WALLS APRX 500 TO 700 FT HIGH. THE PLT SAID THE ENG LOST POWER WHEN THE ACFT WAS IN THE CANYON, SO HE DITCHED THE PLANE IN THE RIVER. HE REPORTED THAT NO ENG PROBLEMS WERE NOTED PRIOR TO THE LOW PASS. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 4100 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2282R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2282R-2013-02-07), registration cancelled 2013-02-07, S/N T210-0432, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210J
- Registry model: [Cessna T210J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210j) (registry code 2073440) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TSIO-5202
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Planes, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1985
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: HITE, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 600 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19850613025399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850613025399A), Jun 13, 1985: Cessna T210J, Moab, UT, Destroyed. Aircraft was flown at low level down canyon in national park to drop a package to raft. Impacted water and sank.

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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