# NTSB LAX92LA357: Cessna T210L, N93336, Jackpot, NV, August 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1992, 20:15 local (Aug 19, 1992, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Jackpot, NV
- Coordinates: 41.879341, -114.77983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8793&lon=-114.7798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA357

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ALLOWING HIMSELF TO BECOME DISTRACTED WHILE SEARCHING FOR A LANDING LIGHT SWITCH DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT AND THE RESULTANT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ground
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB HE WAS BOTHERED BY THE FLICKER EFFECT OF THE PROPELLER IN THE LANDING LIGHT.  HE SAID HE LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND REACHED DOWN TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'THEY [THE SWITCH LABELS] WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND I SPENT AN UNKNOWN, BUT EXCESSIVE, AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO MAKE SURE I WOULD TURN OFF THE CORRECT LIGHTS.'  THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE LOOKED UP THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THERE ARE NO GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS ON THE DEPARTURE PATH OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH NO MOON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93336](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93336-1994-11-02), registration cancelled 1994-11-02, S/N 21060366 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060366
- Airframe hours: 2530
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack H. Ramsthaler
- Registered owner: Jack H. Ramsthaler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: 06U
- Destination: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID
- Airport: 06U, Hayden Field, runway 15, 6,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,035 total, 560 in this make and model, 932 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19920818032169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920818032169A), Aug 18, 1992: Cessna T210L, Jackpot, NV, Substantial damage. Distracted by landing lights on night takeoff. Failed to note aircraft was descending. Collided with ground.

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.