# NTSB DEN91FA061: Cessna T210M, N761CM, Littleton, CO, April 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1991, 08:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Littleton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.589954, -105.01078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5900&lon=-105.0108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA061

## Probable cause

IMPROPER REASSEMBLY OF THE OVERHAULED TURBOCHARGER BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL AND BOOST PUMP.   FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - assembly (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE TURBOCHARGER FAILED DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE AND THE PILOT IMPROPERLY SELECTED HIGH BOOST AND FULL RICH MIXTURE, CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. IMC PREVAILED AND THE PILOT WAS INITIALLY VECTORED TOWARDS A DISTANT AIRPORT, THEN VECTORED TOWARDS A CLOSER AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH WIRES, TREES, AND A HOUSE, THEN BURNED. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE TURBOCHARGER DISCLOSED IMPROPER REASSEMBLY BY THE OVERHAUL FACILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761CM-1991-10-31), registration cancelled 1991-10-31, S/N 21062150 (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: 21062150
- Airframe hours: 2316
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R-1A 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Denver Air Center
- Registered owner: Denver Air Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1990
- Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 12,863 total, 100 in this make and model, 12,191 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Observed at: APA, 13 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 19910419011629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910419011629A), Apr 19, 1991: Cessna T210M, Denver, CO, Destroyed. Smoke and power loss IFR. Broke out low. Struck powerlines, trees and house. Turbo charger wheel came off shaft.

## Other investigations on N761CM (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA78FYP50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYP50), Sep 1, 1978: Cessna T210M (N761CM), Spokane, WA, substantial damage

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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