# NTSB DEN89FA104: Cessna T210F, N6812R, Aspen, CO, April 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1989, 16:36 local (22:36 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.190807, -106.819984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1908&lon=-106.8200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA104

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FALURE DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE ATTEMPT TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE GLIDE WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - powerplant - failure,total
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO ASPEN AFTER A FLT OF APRX 1.5 HRS. HE HAD RADIOED THE CONTROL TWR WHILE ON BASE LEG TO RWY 33 AND REPORTED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO THE RWY BUT CRASHED ABOUT 1 MILE SOUTHEAST. A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATIONALLY TESTED AND FOUND TO BE CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS BLOWING FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 20 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KTS. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'STALLED OUT' AT A LOW ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6812R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6812R-1992-06-02), registration cancelled 1992-06-02, S/N T2100212 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210F
- Registry model: [Cessna T210G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210g) (registry code 2073432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T210-0212
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirk, Rodney
- Registered owner: Rodney Kirk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ASE
- Airport: ASE, Pitkin County, runway 33, 7,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 2 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 19890409006779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890409006779A), Apr 9, 1989: Cessna T210G, Aspen, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported engine quit on approach. Stalled impacted and burned. Glide reduced by flaps and gear.

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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