# NTSB LAX91FA108: Cessna T210N, N9448Y, Kyburz, CA, February 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1991, 18:50 local (Feb 16, 1991, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Kyburz, CA
- Coordinates: 38.770076, -120.259201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7701&lon=-120.2592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA108

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT HIS VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY BECOMING SPATIAL DISORIENTED.  THE LOW CEILINGS AND THE DARK NIGHT THAT EXISTED IN THE AREA WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF ON A NIGHT FLIGHT TO RETURN TO HIS HOME UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING OR FILING A FLIGHT PLAN. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED ALONG THE ROUTE AT THE TIME. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION THE PILOT'S FAMILY REPORTED HIM OVERDUE.  AN AERIAL SEARCH ALONG THE AIRCRAFT'S ASSUMED FLIGHT ROUTE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL UNTIL AN NTAP OF THE AIRCRAFT'S RADAR TRACK WAS OBTAINED FROM FAA'S AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER.  THE SEARCH AIRCRAFT, USING THE NTAP AS A GUIDE, FOUND THE AIRCRAFT'S WRECKAGE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE RADAR PLOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9448Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9448Y-1991-12-11), registration cancelled 1991-12-11, S/N 21064510 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21064510
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: South Tahoe Const. Co.
- Registered owner: South Tahoe Const. Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PVF, PLACERVILLE, CA
- Destination: 043, YERINGTON, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,550 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 18 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 19910215002779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910215002779A), Feb 15, 1991: Cessna T210N, Kyburz, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control and impacted cloud obscured mountain while following highway pass. VFR pilot. No weather briefing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.