# NTSB LAX94LA152: Cessna 210-5A, N4810U, Jackpot, NV, March 6, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 1994, 03:06 local (11:06 UTC) - Place: Jackpot, NV - Coordinates: 41.880115, -114.780632 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8801&lon=-114.7806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28688/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA152 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft's flight path while maneuvering after takeoff in an area of no ground reference lights. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience and the dark nighttime lighting conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The accident occurred during the hours of darkness and no moon was visible. The Jackpot airport is in an area of rolling hills and the only ground reference lights are in the immediate area of the runway and the adjacent casino. The pilot did not have an instrument rating. In his written statement, the pilot said that he did not experience a mechanical failure or malfunction. He reported that he lifted off runway 15 and began a 400-foot per minute climb at a normal airspeed, then began a left turn. The pilot stated that the attitude indicator was showing slightly less than a 20-degree bank turn as the heading indicator was going through 100 degrees when 'we dropped out of the sky.' An FAA inspector interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident. The pilot reported that as he initiated a crosswind turn after take off from runway 15, he lost visual reference with the horizon. No mechanical discrepancies were noted during an examination of the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 1994, at 0306 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 210-5A, N4810U, impacted rising terrain during the takeoff initial climb from the Jackpot, Nevada, airport. The aircraft was on a personal cross-country flight during the hours of darkness. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan had been filed for the operation. The aircraft was destroyed during the impact sequence. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured, and the third passengers sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a flight to Gooding, Idaho. The accident occurred during the hours of darkness and no moon was visible. The Jackpot airport is in an area of rolling hills and the only ground reference lights are in the immediate area of the runway and the adjacent casino. The pilot did not have an instrument rating. In his written statement, the pilot said that he did not experience a mechanical failure or malfunction. He reported that he lifted off runway 15 and began a 400-foot per minute climb at a normal airspeed, then began a left turn. The pilot stated that the attitude indicator was showing slightly less than a 20-degree bank turn as the heading indicator was going through 100 degrees when "we dropped out of the sky." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident. The pilot reported that as he initiated a crosswind turn after takeoff from runway 15, he lost visual reference with the horizon. No mechanical discrepancies were noted during an examination of the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4810U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4810U-1999-08-25), registration cancelled 1999-08-25, S/N 205-0510 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210-5A - Registry model: [Cessna 210-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5a) (registry code 2073406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 205-0510 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-S2B 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dennis J. Goodman - Registered owner: Leon E. Goodman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1993 - Destination: GNG, GOODING, ID - Airport: O6U, Jackpot Airport, runway 15, 6,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 320 total, 219 in this make and model, 264 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940306003629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940306003629A), Mar 6, 1994: Cessna 2105A, Jackpot, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Night takeoff. Lost outside visual reference on climbing turn. Said he dropped out of sky. Not IFR rated. ## Other investigations on N4810U (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA69D0017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69D0017), Jun 1, 1968: Cessna 205 (N4810U), Gooding, ID, substantial damage 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.