# NTSB LAX90FA300: Cessna T-210-M, N6985B, Placerville, CA, August 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1990, 21:10 local (Aug 25, 1990, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729152, -120.799934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7292&lon=-120.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA300

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISIDENTIFICATION OF THE AIRPORT AND HIS FAILURE TO SELECT AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR HIS NIGHT TIME MEDICAL LIMITATION AND LACK OF GEOGRAPHIC FAMILIARITY WITH THE AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landed at wrong airport - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGERS WERE TO MEET ANOTHER AIRCRAFT AT A PREPLANNED AIRPORT, WHERE THEY TO BE PICKED UP BY A TOUR CONCESSIONEER AT 2100 HOURS FOR A CAMPOUT PRIOR TO A RIVER RAFTING TRIP. AT 2110 HOURS THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AFTER MAKING A LANDING ATTEMPT AT ANOTHER AIRPORT 13 MILES BEYOND THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. BOTH AIRPORTS WERE LOCATED ON THE SAME VOR RADIAL, 13 MILES APART. THE MISTAKEN AIRPORT WAS 1300 FEET HIGHER IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PILOT IN COMMAND HAD A MEDICAL RESTRICTION AGAINST NIGHT FLIGHT. THE PILOT RATED PASSENGER WAS NOT QUALIFIED IN THE AIRCRAFT NOR WAS HE NIGHT CURRENT. THE OFFICIAL SUNSET WAS AT 1950 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6985B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6985B-1993-10-21), registration cancelled 1993-10-21, S/N 21062864 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-210-M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062864
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Murphy, Timothy
- Registered owner: Murray, Timothy J.
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Destination: 061, CAMERON PARK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 908 total, 221 in this make and model, 798 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MHR, 35 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 19900824036059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900824036059A), Aug 24, 1990: Cessna T210M, Placerville, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Circling destination airport at night struck trees. Defective color vision. No current night time.

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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