# NTSB DEN90FA159: Cessna P210R, N6203A, Ogden, UT, July 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1990, 07:18 local (13:18 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.150699, -111.979339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1507&lon=-111.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA159

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE #1 PISTON DUE TO PRE-IGNITION/DETONATION IN THE #1 CYLINDER, AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION).  THE OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE TWO PLTS HAD DEPARTED ON A FLT TO GET TWO REVENUE PASSENGERS. THE LEFT SEAT PLT WAS AT THE CTLS WHEN A LOSS OF ENG POWER OCCURRED. HE MADE A 180 DEG TURN & WAS GLIDING DOWN A CANYON WHEN IT STRUCK AN UNMARKED POWER LINE AT THE MOUTH OF THE CANYON. IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 100 TO 200 FT AGL. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED EVIDENCE OF DETONATION/PREIGNITION & EXCESSIVE HEATING IN THE #1 CLYINDER & SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #1 PISTON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6203A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6203A-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N P21000870, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210R
- Registry model: [Cessna P210R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210r) (registry code 2073455) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P2100870
- Airframe hours: 1273
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-CE 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Great Western Aviation, Inc, doing business as Ogden Air Service
- Registered owner: Moore Aircraft Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1990, 44 hours before
- Departed: OGD, OGDEN, UT
- Destination: 334, DUTCH JOHN, UT
- Airport: 09D, Ogden

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 25 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD

## 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 19900712025399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900712025399A), Jul 12, 1990: Cessna P210R, Ogden, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power low in narrow canyon. Struck powerline and crashed. Engine had detonation and overheat damage. Seized.

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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