# NTSB DEN93FA021: Cessna 210, N7469E, Aurora, CO, December 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1992, 19:00 local (Dec 31, 1992, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.74036, -104.860122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7404&lon=-104.8601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA021

## Probable cause

COLLISION WITH TERRAIN WHEN THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY FLEW INTO FOG WHILE CONDUCTING A VISUAL APPROACH.  FACTORS WERE: INACCURATE WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT AND LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

## 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 - base turn
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT, AT WHICH THE WEATHER WAS IFR DUE TO FOG, THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND DURING BASE TURN ON APPROACH WHEN HE ENTERED THE FOG. TERRAIN WAS AN OPEN SNOW COVERED FIELD.  THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT INTO THIS AIRPORT.  THE NEAREST REPORTING STATION AT THE TIME WAS DENVER STAPLETON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHICH WAS REPORTING 6,000 FOOT SCATTERED CLOUDS.  THIS INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE PILOT BY DENVER APPROACH CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7469E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7469E-1993-05-24), registration cancelled 1993-05-24, S/N 57169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57169
- Airframe hours: 2366
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ripplinger, Richard F.
- Registered owner: Ripplinger, Richard F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1991, 125 hours before
- Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: FTG, Front Range

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 707 total, 707 in this make and model, 651 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTG, 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 19921230052579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921230052579A), Dec 30, 1992: Cessna 210, Denver, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Wreckage indicates loss of control in dense fog approaching airport. Pilot had reported airport in sight.

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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