# NTSB DEN89FA009: Cessna T210M, N732QP, Clovis, NM, October 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1988, 06:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Clovis, NM
- Coordinates: 34.379344, -103.049903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3793&lon=-103.0499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE DAWN, WITNESSES (WHO WERE PREFLIGHTING AN ACFT) SAW N732QP TAXIING TO RWY 4. THEY HEARD AN ENG RUN-UP; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE THE ACFT TAKEOFF DUE TO HEAVY FOG THAT HAD JUST MOVED OVER THE ARPT. (THE WITNESSES DECIDED TO CANCEL THEIR FLT DUE TO DETERIORATING WX.) SHORTLY AFTER N732QP TOOK OFF, THE WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG SOUND CHANGE TO A HIGH PITCH SCREAM. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A THUMP, THEN THERE WAS SILENCE. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE VISIBILITY CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE, HAMPERING A SEARCH FOR THE ACFT. AS SOON AS DAWN ARRIVED, THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED ON ARPT PROPERTY. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. HE HAD RCVD 2.8 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING IN THE FALL OF 1981, BUT NO RECORD OF SUBSEQUENT INSTRUMENT FLT TRAINING WAS FND. ONE WITNESS RPRTD THAT AT 0630, THE WX HAD DETERIORATED TO 200' OBSCURED, 1/8 MI VISIBILITY WITH FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732QP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732QP-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 21061692, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061692
- Airframe hours: 1947
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Connor Pyle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1988, 38 hours before
- Departed: CVS
- Destination: SVC, SILVER CITY, NM
- Airport: CVN, Clovis Muni, runway 4, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 492 total, 37 in this make and model, 445 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881007045769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881007045769A), Oct 7, 1988: Cessna T210M, Clovis, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off in near zero IMC,lost control and cartwheeled on ground impact on airport. Pilot not instrument rated.

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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