# NTSB DEN91FA002: Cessna T210N, N6477N, Gypsum, CO, October 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1990, 20:31 local (Oct 3, 1990, 02:31 UTC)
- Place: Gypsum, CO
- Coordinates: 39.640975, -106.939872 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6410&lon=-106.9399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA002

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FLYING INTO KNOWN ADVERSE ICING AND THUNDERSTORM WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - ice (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO FILING AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. THUNDERSTORMS AND ICING CONDITIONS PREVAILED ALONG HIS INTENDED ROUTE. DURING THE FLIGHT ICE FORMED ON HIS AIRCRAFT IN THE VICINITY OF GYPSUM, COLORADO. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED AND EVENTUALLY THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. IT ENTERED INTO A SPIN WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6477N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6477N-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 21063051, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063051
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Denver Air Center, Inc.
- Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT
- Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,215 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,112 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: EGE, 5 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 19901002043939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901002043939A), Oct 2, 1990: Cessna T210N, Gypsum, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Operated in known icing. Reported out of control from ice . Spun into trees.

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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