# NTSB DEN91FA012: Cessna T210M, N761TW, Carbondale, CO, October 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1990, 11:06 local (17:06 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, CO
- Coordinates: 38.940078, -105.160453 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9401&lon=-105.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA012

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE POWER LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING DELIVERED TO THE OWNER AFTER MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.  DURING THE FLT, IT COLLIDED WITH A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE & CRASHED.  ABOUT 1 MI BEFORE REACHING THE ACDNT SITE, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN A CANYON.  WITNESSES RPRTD THAT IT THEN DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR VIEW BEHIND HIGHER TERRAIN BEFORE IT CRASHED.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761TW-1991-07-09), registration cancelled 1991-07-09, S/N 21062514 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062514
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: West Star Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Destination: ASE, ASPEN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,054 total, 145 in this make and model, 1,823 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ASE, 40 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 19901025047039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901025047039A), Oct 25, 1990: Cessna T210M, Carbondale, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed flying low in a canyon. Collided with high voltage power line. Crashed.

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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