# NTSB LAX91LA368: Cessna C-T210N, N5092Y, Modesto, CA, August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1991, 21:20 local (Aug 4, 1991, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.630542, -120.970626 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6305&lon=-120.9706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA368

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALIGNMENT OVER THE RUNWAY. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INATTENTIVE HANDLING OF HIS AIRCRAFT, AND THE DARK, NIGHTTIME CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - approach light/navaid
  - vfr procedures - inadequate, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 28R, THE 18,000 HOUR PILOT DECIDED TO SIDE STEP TO RUNWAY 28L.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE 'DRIFTED TOO FAR TO THE LEFT' AND COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY'S VASI.  IT WAS A DARK NIGHT AND RUNWAY 28R WAS ILLUMINATED; RUNWAY 28L HAD NO LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5092Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-T210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21064067
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon B. Stevenson
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: MOD, Modesto City, runway 28, 3,459 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 18,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910803036739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910803036739A), Aug 3, 1991: Cessna T210N, Modesto, CA, Substantial damage. Switched from lighted 28R to unlighted 28L on short final. Struck VASI box.

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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