# NTSB FTW87FA064: Cessna 210N, N6497N, Diboll, TX, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1987, 18:53 local (Feb 7, 1987, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Diboll, TX
- Coordinates: 31.180034, -94.780342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1800&lon=-94.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED ATTITUDE AT HIGH SPEED. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT HAD FILED IFR AND DEPARTED INTO M80VC 5 L-F WEATHER WITH TOPS ABOVE 8,000'. ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE CONTROLLER THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCEING INSTRUMENT PROBLEMS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PLT BECAME TOTALLY DISORIENTED AND ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL AN MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION ON THE ACFT, ENGINE OR INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS. ATC TRANSCRIPTS INDICATED THAT THE PLT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH IFR PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES AND THAT HE APPEARED TO BE CONFUSED ABOUT THE CLEARANCE AND HOW TO EXECUTE IT. THE PLT'S LAST IFR INSTRUCTION HAD BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6497N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6497N-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 21063071 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210N
- Registry model: [Cessna 210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210n) (registry code 2073453) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063071
- Airframe hours: 638
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520 L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth P. Barton
- Registered owner: Kenneth P Barton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1986, 15 hours before
- Departed: OCH, NACOGDOCHES, TX
- Destination: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,483 total, 638 in this make and model, 1,393 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFK, 7 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 19870206060689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870206060689A), Feb 6, 1987: Cessna 210N, Diboll, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft hit the ground during a night flight. Suspect the VFR pilot was disoriented in IFR conditions.

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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