# NTSB LAX85LA211: Cessna T210N, N2497U, White Mountain, AZ, April 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1985, 11:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: White Mountain, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.229362, -110.070785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2294&lon=-110.0708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA211

## 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 - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - ice
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vmo) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command
  - flight control,rudder - bent
  - flight control,rudder - separation
  - vertical stabilizer surface - bent
  - vertical stabilizer surface - distorted

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 12,000 FT MSL, THE ACFT BEGAN PICKING UP ICE. THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING TOWARD HIS INTENDED DESTINATION & CLIMBED TO 14,000 FT MSL. THE ACFT'S WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY ICED OVER. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & IT WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT DURING WHICH TIME TWO PENCILS CAME OUT OF THE PLT'S POCKET & REPORTEDLY 'FLEW UP TO THE WINDSHIELD.' THE ACFT'S AIRSPEED EXCEEDED REDLINE DURING THE DESCENT. THE PLT REGAINED CONTROL AT ABOUT 7500 FT MSL WHEN THE ACFT DESCENDED THROUGH THE CLOUD BASE. THE PLT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER MISHAP AT A NEARBY ARPT. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT ITS RUDDER WAS PARTIALLY RIPPED FROM ITS HINGE & THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WAS TWISTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2497U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21064788
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. Smith & Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,078 total, 77 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850418013229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850418013229A), Apr 18, 1985: Cessna T210N, White Mountain, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft picked up so much ice that an uncontrolled descent resulted. Damage to airframe on level off. Safe landing

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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