# NTSB DEN90LA110: Cessna 205, N4807U, Bluff, UT, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 18:15 local (May 20, 1990, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Bluff, UT
- Coordinates: 37.140075, -109.520133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1401&lon=-109.5201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA110

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY SELECT AND SURVEY HIS LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS AN UNCHARTED, UNATTENDED DIRT AIRSTRIP. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, THE ACFT STRUCK AN OBSTRUCTION ON THE TAKEOFF SURFACE WHEREUPON THE PLT LOST CONTROL AND THE ACFT DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA INTO TREES. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, NEITHER ACFT DEFICIENCIES OR WX WERE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WRECKAGE AND THE PLT WERE FOUND THE FOLLOWING MORNING BY CIVIL AIR PATROL ACFT SEARCHING DUE TO IMPACT FORCE ACTIVATION OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT ELT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4807U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4807U-1992-08-17), registration cancelled 1992-08-17, S/N 2050507 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5A(205A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5a-205a) (registry code 2073204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 205-0507
- Airframe hours: 4163
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO470-1 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James M. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1990, 5 hours before
- Destination: U07, BULLFROG, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 470 total, 286 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900519018909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519018909A), May 19, 1990: Cessna 2105, Bluff, UT, Substantial damage. Taking off on an abandoned dirt road hit tree root rotating aircraft into trees on edge of road.

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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