# NTSB DEN87FA064: Cessna P210N, N6115W, Roswell, NM, March 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1987, 18:51 local (Mar 6, 1987, 01:51 UTC)
- Place: Roswell, NM
- Coordinates: 33.639736, -104.379386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6397&lon=-104.3794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17098/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA064

## 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
  - pull-up - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(chronic), pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT, WHO NEVER FLEW AT NIGHT AND WHO TOLD RELATIVES THAT HE WAS EXHAUSTED AFTER ALL-DAY BUSINESS MEETINGS, NEVERTHELESS DEPARTED ALBUQUERQUE, NM, AT 1756, EN ROUTE TO ROSWELL, NM. HE CONTACTED ROSWELL TWR AT 1844 BUT NEVER ARRIVED. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 2 DAYS LATER. THE GROUND SCAR WAS 695 FT LONG. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FIRE ALONG THE GROUND SCAR ALTHOUGH THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY GROUND FIRE. MEASUREMENTS OF PROPS SLASH MARKS INDICATE ACFT IMPACTED GROUND AT 130.4 TO 133.1 KTS. TOXICOLOGY REPORT REVEALED NO CARBON MONOXIDE IN SPECIMEN. NIGHT VMC CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT TIME OF CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6115W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000719
- Airframe hours: 604
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Curtis J. Lttle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1986
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ROW, ROSWELL, NM
- Airport: ROW, Roswell Industrial Air

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 430 in this make and model, 226 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROW, 11 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 19870305005249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870305005249A), Mar 5, 1987: Cessna P210N, Roswell, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft impacted the ground at night. Suspect the pilot fell asleep.

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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