# NTSB DEN90LA181: Cessna T210N, N5241C, Durango, CO, September 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1990, 20:30 local (Sep 5, 1990, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.26921, -107.879577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2692&lon=-107.8796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA181

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE ON SHORT FINAL TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AFTER RECEIVING A PILOT REPORT OF CALM WINDS. ON SHORT FINAL THE PLANE ENCOUNTERED A MICROBURST THAT ABRUPTLY INCREASED THE RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE HIGH RATE OF DESCENT TO NO AVAIL. THE PLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY, LANDED HARD, COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR, DAMAGED THE WING SPARS, AND CAME TO REST ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER EXITING THE WRECKAGE, THE PILOT SAID THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEGREES AT 15, GUSTING TO 20. A WITNESS REPORTED THE WIND HAD CHANGED FROM CALM TO STRONG IN A FEW SECONDS, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT LIGHTNING AND VIRGA HAD BEEN SEEN IN THE AREA AND RAIN SHOWERS BEGAN WITHIN THREE MINUTES OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5241C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063723
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barbara B. Echemann
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Airport: DRO, La Plata Co., runway 20, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 367 total, 165 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 1 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 19900904038259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900904038259A), Sep 4, 1990: Cessna T210N, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Strong downdraft on short final. Unable to recover,impacted on side of runway. Lightning and virga in area.

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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