# NTSB FTW89FA128: Cessna P210N, N5489W, Houma, LA, July 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1989, 12:54 local (18:54 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.58073, -90.809417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5807&lon=-90.8094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA128

## Probable cause

INCAPACITATION OF THE 70 YEAR OLD PILOT, WHICH LED TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - aircraft control - not possible (contributing factor)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS AND VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED BUT WAS NOT ACTIVATED. ENROUTE THE PILOT INFORMED ATC HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 11,500 FEET TO 9,500 FEET. ATC NOTICED A MODE C TRANSPONDER READOUT AT 7,500 FEET, AND ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE PILOT BUT THE PILOT DID NOT RESPOND. WINESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP DIVE BUT NONE SAW THE GROUND IMPACT. PARTS OF THE RIGHT WING WERE FOUND AS FAR AWAY AS ONE HALF MILE. RECOVERY OF THE ENGINE WAS AT A DEPTH OF AT LEAST 25 FEET. THE ROTOR OF THE ATTITUDE GYRO HAD ROTATIONAL DAMAGE MARKS. NO AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED AND TOXICOLOGY REPORT WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT. PILOT'S WIFE INDICATED PILOT HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED 'VASOTIC' MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5489W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5489W-1990-06-27), registration cancelled 1990-06-27, S/N P21000697 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000697
- Airframe hours: 1203
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: J. W. Christensen
- Registered owner: Christensen, J.W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1988, 68 hours before
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: MOB, MOBILE, AL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUM, 8 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 19890704019399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890704019399A), Jul 4, 1989: Cessna P210N, Houma, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control descending into clouds, stress failed right wing then vertical dive to impact. IFR skill level unknown

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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