# NTSB LAX91LA003: Cessna 210, N9466T, Riverside, CA, October 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 04:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.990772, -117.439933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9908&lon=-117.4399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA003

## Probable cause

IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT FROM USE OF DRUGS (COCAINE), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE (OR ALTITUDE) FROM THE MOUNTAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE PILOT'S PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDTION (DEPRESSION).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE OWNER AND FLEW IT FROM AN AIRPORT NEAR HIS RESIDENCE. AFTER ABOUT 25 MINUTES, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE WEST SIDE OF MT RUBIDOUX, WHICH WAS ABOUT ONE MILE EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE RISING TERRAIN WHILE IN A NEAR LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. ACQUAINTANCES REPORTED THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA, HAVING FLOWN FROM THE AIRPORT FOR OVER 10 YEARS. REPORTEDLY, HE HAD RECENTLY BECOME UNEMPLOYED AND WAS DEPRESSED. TOXOCOLOGY RESULTS INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF COCAINE   AND BENZOYLECGONINE IN THE PILOT'S BLOOD AT LEVELS OF 340 AND 1330 NG/ML, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9466T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9466T-1994-08-11), registration cancelled 1994-08-11, S/N 57266 (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: 57266
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Kurtz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1990
- Departed: RIR, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Airport: RIR, Flabob

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 11 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 19901006044419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006044419A), Oct 6, 1990: Cessna 210, Riverside/Rubid, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew stolen aircraft directly into known mountainside. Pilot unemployed,depressed and on cocaine.

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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