# NTSB LAX82FA072: Cessna P210N, N731NQ, 6 Nm North Of S, AZ, February 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1982, 20:22 local (Feb 8, 1982, 03:22 UTC)
- Place: 6 Nm North Of S, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939075, -111.940536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9391&lon=-111.9405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA072

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR TO FLAGSTAFF WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE ADVISED THE BRIEFER THAT HE HAD JUST RECENTLY FLOWN FROM SEDONA AND KNEW HE COULD RETURN VFR. AT ABOUT 1938 MST, THE PLANE DEPARTED PHOENIX WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT REPORTED FLYING AT 7500 FT BELOW AN OVERCAST OF UNKNOWN ALTITUDE. THE WEATHER AT FLAGSTAFF WAS 800 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 3 MILES WITH LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS AND FOG. ABOUT 6 MILES NORTH OF SEDONA, THE PLANE STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 7000 FT. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED ON SNOW COVERED, WOODED TERRAIN AT THE EDGE OF A PLATEAU BETWEEN SEDONA AND FLAGSTAFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731NQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731NQ-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N P21000508, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000508
- Airframe hours: 131
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Flagstaff Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sam Shiflett
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 68 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 17 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 19820207050829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820207050829A), Feb 7, 1982: Cessna P210N, Sedona, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck trees in near level flight. Low ceiling, fog, snowshowers in area. Was advised VFR flight not recommended.

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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