# NTSB DEN85LA232: Cessna P210N, N4780K, Hayden, CO, August 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1985, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hayden, CO
- Coordinates: 40.479003, -107.259437 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4790&lon=-107.2594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA232

## Analysis

PLT SAID ENG BEGAN SURGING DURING DESCENT FROM CURISE ALT. AFTER ADJUSTING BOOST PUMP, THROTTLE, AND MIXTURE, SURGING CEASED. PLT SAID HE DROPPED FLAPS AND LOWERED LANDING GEAR AT 2000 FT AGL AND 5 MI FROM ARPT. ENG BEGAN TO SURGE AGAIN. ADJUSTMENT OF THROTTLE AND MIXTURE DID NOT CORRECT CONDITION. ENG THEN LOST ALL POWER AND PLT MADE FORCED LANDING IN WHEAT FIELD 3 MI FROM ARPT. EXAM OF ENG REVEALED UPPER DECK PRESSURE REFERENCE LINE FROM MANIFOLD TO LEFT BANK FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLE ASS'Y WAS DISCONNECTED. LINE WAS STUFFED UNDERNEATH OTHER HOSES IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT. HOSE CLAMP WAS FOUND ON METAL CHANNEL. MAINTENANCE RECORDS INDICATE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED 7.3 FLYING HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. UPPER DECK PRESSURE REFERENCE LINE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ALTERNATOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4780K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P210-00311
- Airframe hours: 954
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald E. Tarrson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1984, 89 hours before
- Departed: LBF, NORTH PLATTE, NE
- Destination: HDN, HAYDEN, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HDN, Yampa Valley, runway 28, 6,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 843 total, 400 in this make and model, 707 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EGE, 53 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 19850831042289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850831042289A), Aug 31, 1985: Cessna P210N, Hayden, CO, Substantial damage. Upper deck pressure reference line not reconnected during maintenance. Engine quit. Impacted in plowed field.

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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