# NTSB LAX84FA064: Cessna 210, N7434E, Grass Valley, CA, November 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1983, 09:31 local (17:31 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.180019, -120.980827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1800&lon=-120.9808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A VOR-A APCH TO THE NEVADA COUNTY ARPT. THE APCH CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HE HAD FAILED TO ISSUE THE REQUIRED RADAR INFO FOR THE FINAL APCH FIX & INSTRUCTED THE PLT TO INITIATE A MISSED APCH. RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WAS LOST WHEN IT WAS 1/2 MI EAST OF THE ARPT, AT 3500, ON A WESTERLY HEADING. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED 1/8 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2900 FT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT HAD CRASHED WHILE IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE ON WOODED TERRAIN. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT WAS FOUND. WITNESSES WHO HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVER THE ARPT STATED THAT IT WAS SNOWING MODERATELY & THEY ESTIMATED THE SURFACE VISIBILITY WAS 1/2 MI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7434E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7434E-1984-05-01), registration cancelled 1984-05-01, S/N 57134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57134
- Airframe hours: 2660
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles J. Swift
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1983, 17 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 017, Nevada County, runway 7, 3,920 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,674 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 27 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 19831120058529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831120058529A), Nov 20, 1983: Cessna 210, Grass Valley, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed during VOR instrument approach. Pilot had been instructed to initiate missed approach procedure.

## Other investigations on N7434E (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX81FVM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVM01), Oct 6, 1980: Cessna 210 (N7434E), San Jose, CA, substantial damage

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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