# NTSB LAX84FA012: Cessna 210-5 (205), N8370Z, Schurz, NV, October 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1983, 20:52 local (Oct 14, 1983, 03:52 UTC)
- Place: Schurz, NV
- Coordinates: 38.920421, -118.71096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9204&lon=-118.7110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,spar - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing,bracing strut - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - separation (contributing factor)
  - wing,bracing strut - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A CROSSCOUNTRY FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS AT NIGHT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT IN FLIGHT. THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF AN INFLIGHT STRUCTURAL FAILURE DUE TO OVERLOADS. THE LAST TRANSMISSION FROM THE PILOT INDICATES HE WAS IN A DIVE AND WAS AWARE OF IT. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NEAR A VERTICAL ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8370Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8370Z-1984-10-13), registration cancelled 1984-10-13, S/N 2050370, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210-5 (205) (210-5 (205)
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2050370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: David L. Koch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1983
- Departed: 01U, DUCKWATER, NV
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFL, 36 nm away

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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