# NTSB DEN91FA048: Cessna T210M, N761MU, Taos, NM, March 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1991, 21:41 local (Mar 2, 1991, 04:41 UTC)
- Place: Taos, NM
- Coordinates: 36.379409, -105.569313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3794&lon=-105.5693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO FREEZING RAIN WHICH RESULTED IN STRUCTURAL ICING THAT EXCEEDED THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS: IMPROPER DEICING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - improper, ground personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEICED WITH PURE ETHYLENE GLYCOL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND THEN DEPARTED ON AN IFR FLIGHT IN FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW WITH A TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT OF 33/31. DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS WERE FOR A RIGHT TURN TO THE NORTH FOLLOWING TAKEOFF AND DIRECT TO THE VOR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND NINE HOURS AFTER DEPARTING, SCATTERED IN A FIELD, 1.5 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761MU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761MU-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 21062371, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 210-62371
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: New Mexico Flying Service, doing business as B&M Enterprises
- Registered owner: New Mexico Flying Service
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SKX, Taos Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,350 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 3,575 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SKX, 2 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 19910301003779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910301003779A), Mar 1, 1991: Cessna T210M, Taos, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ineffective ice removal prior departure in snow and freezing rain. Crashed shortly after night departure.

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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