# NTSB LAX86FA092: Cessna T210N, N222CL, Indio, CA, January 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1986, 09:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Indio, CA
- Coordinates: 33.71001, -116.229339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7100&lon=-116.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA092

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled
  - incapacitation(other organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A 21 MI FLT FM HIS HOME ARPT TO THERMAL, CA, TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS & LNDGS. BFR DEPARTING, HE SUCCESSFULLYREAD BACK A VFR CLNC TO FLY OUT OF THE PALM SPRINGS TRSA. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE EN ROUTE TWD THE SE (TWD THE SUN,WHICH WAS 22 DEG ABV THE HRZN), HE TOLD THE CTLR THAT HAZE & SMOG WERE MAKING HIM DIZZY; HE SAID HE WOULD USE OXYGEN. SOON THEREAFTER, HE REQD VECTORS TO THE DESTN ARPT. VECTORS WERE PROVIDED, BUT THE ACFT CONTD EASTERLY TWD MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN (TRRN). THE PLT'S SPEECH SEEMED TO DETERIORATE AS HIS REPLIES BCM SHORTER & GARBLED. RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST APRX 8 MI NORTH OF THERMAL, WHERE THE ACFT IMPACTED RISING TRRN ABOUT 500' ABV THE VALLEY FLOOR. THERE WAS EVIDENCETHE ACFT CRASHED IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE WX AT THERMAL WAS, IN PART: 25,000' SCATTERED, VIS 20 MI. ANOTHER PLT RPRTD THE TOP OF THE HAZE LAYER WAS AT 3000'. NO SPECIFIC MEDICAL CAUSE OR FACTOR WAS VERIFIED. THE PLT'S WIFE SAID HE WAS SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN SMELLS, SMOG & BRIGHT SUNLIGHT & THAT HE RECENTLY ACQUIRED A VIRUS & SEEMED TIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222CL-2011-07-18), registration cancelled 2011-07-18, S/N 21063607 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna 210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210n) (registry code 2073453) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063607
- Airframe hours: 1185
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kelvin K. Larson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1985, 67 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: TRM, THERMAL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,014 total, 412 in this make and model, 857 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM, 8 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 19860117082169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860117082169A), Jan 17, 1986: Cessna 210N, Indio, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted terrain due to pilot incapication. Suspect a viral infection or pilot intoxication.

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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