# NTSB DEN89FA154: Cessna 310Q, N7509Q, Crestone, CO, June 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1989, 00:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Crestone, CO
- Coordinates: 37.989574, -105.689605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9896&lon=-105.6896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA154

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO SAFELY CLEAR THE MOUNTAINS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, BOX CANYON, AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT & PAX WERE EN ROUTE FROM CALIFORNIA TO PENNSYLVANIA WITH REFUELING STOPS AT PAGOSA SPGS, CO & OMAHA, NE. AT APRX 1030 MDT, THE PLT TELEPHONED HIS DAUGHTER IN OMAHA & SAID THEY WOULD BE ARRIVING IN EARLY AFTERNOON. THE ACFT WAS RPRTD OVERDUE BY RELATIVES WHEN IT FAILED TO ARRIVE IN OMAHA. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A BOX CANYON AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 12,000 FT. THE CANYON TERMINATED AT MT EUREKA WHICH HAD AN ELEVATION OF 13,931 FT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE OF THE CRASH SITE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 15,921 FT. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENGS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF NORMAL OPERATION. WEATHER IN THE AREA WAS RPRTD TO BE CLEAR WITH 50 MI VISIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7509Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7509Q-1990-07-12), registration cancelled 1990-07-12, S/N 310Q0009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310Q0009
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stentorian, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1989
- Departed: 2V1, PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
- Destination: OMA, OMAHA, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,042 total, 322 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19890629019419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890629019419A), Jun 29, 1989: Cessna 310Q, Crestone, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Unable to outclimb rising terrain. Stalled into the side of a mountain.

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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