# NTSB DEN89LA069: Cessna P210N, N4737P, Durango, CO, January 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1989, 18:00 local (Jan 28, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269241, -107.880149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2692&lon=-107.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA069

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING TAKEOFF. THAT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE CONDITIONS FROM AN AIRPORT THAT WAS NOT APPROVED FOR IMC OPERATIONS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ATP RATED PLT WAS STARTING A SCHEDULED PART 135, CARGO RUN, DEPARTING ON RWY 19, A 5,000 X 50 FOOT, ASPHALT RWY. THE RWY WAS COVERED BY ONE INCH OF SNOW AND A SNOW SHOWER WAS IN PROGRESS. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMOVE SNOW FROM THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPEAR TO NEED IT. THE AIRPORT IS NEITHER APPROVED NOR EQUIPPED FOR INSTRUMENT OPERATIONS AS REQUIRED IN THE FAA APPROVED COMPANY OPERATION SPECIFICATIONS. THE PILOT REPORTED THE VISIBILITY AS '2 TO 3 MILES,' WITH CALM WINDS AND SAID HE COULD NOT ESTIMATE A CEILING THROUGH THE FALLING SNOW. THREE FAA INSPECTORS, WHO WERE 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, SAID THE VISIBILITY WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES, AND THE CEILING WAS INDEFINITE, LESS THAN 1000 FEET. AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. DURING LIFTOFF, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR ENTERED DEEP SNOW ON THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND AND PIVOTED 270 DEG TO THE RIGHT. THE NOSE AND LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE ACFT STOPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4737P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000093
- Airframe hours: 2455
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Kangaroo Transportation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 8, 1988, 38 hours before
- Departed: 5CO0
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 5C00, Animas, runway 19, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,912 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,125 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast

## 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 19890127001399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890127001399A), Jan 27, 1989: Cessna P210N, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Tried to depart unplowed snow covered runway in below company weather minimums,struck snow drift and ground looped.

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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