# NTSB DEN87FA057: Cessna T210N, N9499Y, West Fargo, ND, February 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1987, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: West Fargo, ND
- Coordinates: 46.899623, -96.80928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8996&lon=-96.8093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17096/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - roll
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - landing gear - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW AND SLOW ON FINAL APPROACH TO WEST FARGO ARPT. THE ACFT CONTINUED FLT TO THE GROUND, HIT HARD, BOUNCED AND THEN FLEW CLOSE TO THE GROUND IN A LARGE SWEEPING ARC UNTIL THE LEFT WING TIP TOUCHED THE GROUND. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY HIT A ROAD EMBANKMENT AND CAME TO REST IN A FARMERS FIELD A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. ICE WAS FOUND ON THE ACFT AND GROUND NEAR THE ACFT APRX 1/2 HOUR AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9499Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9499Y), registered now, S/N 21064523, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21064523
- Airframe hours: 1487
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Tri State Drilling & Equipment
- Registered owner: Tri State Drilling & Equip. Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 842, BUFFALO, MN
- Destination: D54, FARGO, ND
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: D54, West Fargo, runway 17, 3,830 × 147 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,263 total, 468 in this make and model, 2,156 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 4 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 19870220003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870220003239A), Feb 20, 1987: Cessna T210N, West Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled on landing and veered off the runway. The pilot attempted flight in icing conditions.

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.
