# NTSB LAX82FA088: Cessna T21OL, N93338, Verdi, NV, March 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1982, 18:38 local (Mar 1, 1982, 02:38 UTC)
- Place: Verdi, NV
- Coordinates: 39.510822, -119.990875 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5108&lon=-119.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA088

## 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
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,spar - overload
  - wing,spar - separation
  - horizontal stabilizer attachment - overload
  - horizontal stabilizer attachment - separation
  - flight control,elevator attachment - overload
  - flight control,elevator attachment - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE ACFT'S DEPARTURE FROM TRUCKEE-TAHOE ARPT, AN INBOUND PLT RECOMMENDED VIA RADIO THAT THE FLT NOT GO BECAUSE HE HAD JUST FLOWN THRU THE DONNER PASS & THE WX WAS TERRIBLE. HE REPORTED THE WIND 25-35K, GUSTING 40-45K. THE FLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED PIREPS, AREA FORECASTS & SIGMETS CONTAINING MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE FLT DEPARTED TRUCKEE AT APRX 1800 & AT 1818 ESTIMATED THEIR POSITION 20 MI NORTH OF TRUCKEE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 9,000 FT. AT 1826 ATC ADVISED THE FLT THAT THEY STILL WERE NOT PICKING HIM UP ON RADAR & FOR HIM TO PROCEED TO INTECEPT V6N AIRWAY. AT 1835 THE FLT REPORTED UPON REQUEST THEY HAD NOT YET PASSED TRUCKEE INTERSECTION. AT 1837:20 THE FLIGHT REPORTED THEY WERE GOING TO TURN & TRY TO MAKE IT BACK TO RENO. AT 1837:38 THE FLT TRANSMITTED A MAYDAY. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 4 MI NORTH OF VERDI ON A SLOPE OF PEARVINE MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93338](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93338-1985-01-22), registration cancelled 1985-01-22, S/N 21060367 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T21OL
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060367
- Airframe hours: 1915
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H-4A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rayn-Aire
- Registered owner: William Dobbs
- Departed: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 438 total, 3 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RND, 10 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 19820228000909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820228000909A), Feb 28, 1982: Cessna T210L, Verdi, NV, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Airframe failed due to loss of control in severe mountain turbulence. Advised not to go due to turbulence. Over gross

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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