# NTSB DEN87FA061: Cessna T210L, N1721X, Nucla, CO, January 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1987, 10:08 local (17:08 UTC)
- Place: Nucla, CO
- Coordinates: 38.259559, -108.549743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2596&lon=-108.5497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON AN IFR FLT TO AN ARPT WITHOUT AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE. ATC CLEARED THE FLT TO DESCEND TO 12,000 FT, THE IFR MEA FOR THE AREA, AT 30 NM NE OF THE ARPT. AT APPROX 3 MIN PRIOR TO THE MISHAP, THE PLT WAS ISSUED A CRUISE CLEARANCE AT 12,000 FT, GIVEN THE ARPT POSITION AS 12 O'CLOCK, 17 NM , AND INSTRUCTED TO REPORT HIS ARRIVAL TO FSS. THE PLT INITIATED A DESCENT ON A TRACK DIRECTLY TO THE ARPT. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AT 9200 FT MSL, NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGELINE, 13 MILES FROM THE ARPT. EVIDENCE INDICATES THE ACFT WAS IN IMC AND THAT THE RIDGELINE WAS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS. THE WEATHER AT GRAND JUNCTION, 50 NM NORTH, WAS PARTIAL OBSCURATION, LOW SCATTERED CLOUDS, 4000 OVCST, VIS 1 MILE IN FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1721X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1721X-1989-12-13), registration cancelled 1989-12-13, S/N 21060743 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060743
- Airframe hours: 3482
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H-4A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rainbow Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Russell J. Campion
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23,000 total, 650 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 40 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 19870128003969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870128003969A), Jan 28, 1987: Cessna T210L, Nucla, CO, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Struck trees on mountain at 9200 feet during descent in instrument meteorological conditions. Cruise clearance.

## Other investigations on N1721X (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 DEN77DTC28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77DTC28), Sep 10, 1977: Cessna T210L (N1721X), Keyhole, WY, 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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