# NTSB LAX91LA053: Cessna T210N, Douglas, AZ, December 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1990, 06:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.539825, -109.459533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5398&lon=-109.4595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27075
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27075/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA053

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DUE TO THE PILOT'S PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN INOPERATIVE VACUUM SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - vacuum system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED ON SEMI-LEVEL, TYPICAL SONORA DESERT TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A RIGHT ANGLE 90 DEG TO THE SURFACE. THE PROPELLER INDICATED POWER AND ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S INVESTIGATORES DETERMINED THE TWO INDIVIDUALS WERE LAST SEEN LEAVING A LOCAL DOUGLAS BOWLING ALLEY AT APRX MIDNIGHT, INTOXICATED, GOING TO AND STAYING AT A BAR UNTIL 0100. THE PILOT'S MUSCLE ETHANOL CONCENTRATION WAS 210 MG/DL. THE AIRPLANE'S VACUUM PUMP HAD BEEN INOPERATIVE FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: XBBCR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 63503
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. A. Morales
- Departed: DUG, DOUGLAS, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 271 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: DUG, 4 nm away

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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