# NTSB DEN89FA091: Cessna 210D, N3823Y, Eugene, OR, March 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1989, 08:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Eugene, OR
- Location: 44.0521° N, 123.0868° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eugene, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0521&lon=-123.0868&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA091

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3823Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3823Y-1993-07-19), registration cancelled 1993-07-19, S/N 21058323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210D
- Registry model: [Cessna 210D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210d) (registry code 2073414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21058323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Fitzgerald, Michael
- Registered owner: Michael Fitzgerald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: BOK, BROOKINGS, OR
- Destination: EUG
- Airport: EUG, Mahlon Sweet Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,914 total, 733 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 12 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 19890323004439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890323004439A), Mar 23, 1989: Cessna 210D, Eugene, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control trying to fly under low clouds in hilly terrain. Crashed into trees. Was cleared for special VFR.

## Other investigations on N3823Y (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 SEA73FYC38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FYC38), Jun 22, 1973: Cessna 210D (N3823Y), Lagrande, OR, 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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