# NTSB LAX94LA365: Cessna 210L, N210LX, Payson, AZ, September 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1994, 20:30 local (Sep 16, 1994, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Payson, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.18951, -111.169372 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1895&lon=-111.1694&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 10, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA365

## Probable cause

ANIMALS ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s)

## Analysis

GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THREE ELK WERE ON THE RUNWAY AS THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN DURING THE NIGHT LANDING. TWO OF THE ELK RAN OFF THE RUNWAY; HOWEVER, THE THIRD WENT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE ANIMAL UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE COLLISION. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AND KILLED THE ANIMAL. THE AIRPORT MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPORT HAS A FENCE AROUND THE PROPERTY PERIMETER; HOWEVER, THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY PORTION IS ONLY 5 FEET TALL AND ELK HAVE BEEN OBSERVED LEAPING OVER THE FENCE.

## Factual narrative

On September 15, 1994, at 2030 mountain standard time, a Cessna 210L, N210LX, collided with an elk during the landing rollout on runway 6 at the Payson, Arizona, airport.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Dairy Queen of Southern Arizona, Inc., of Douglas, Arizona.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the night cross-country operation and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated about 1800 hours on the day of the accident from Douglas, Arizona, as a business transportation flight to Payson.

Ground witnesses reported that three elk were on the runway as the aircraft touched down during the night landing.  Two of the elk ran off the runway; however, the third went in the direction of the landing aircraft.  In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he did not see the animal until just before the collision.  The aircraft collided with and killed the animal.

In a telephone interview, the airport manager reported that the airport has a fence around the property perimeter; however, the northern boundary portion is only 5 feet tall and elk have been observed leaping over the fence.

During his interview, the pilot declined to complete a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2, as required by 49 CFR 830.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210LX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210LX), registered now, S/N 21059720, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059720
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Dairy Queen Of S. Arizona, Inc
- Registered owner: Dairy Queen Of S. Arizona, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Departed: DGL, DOUGLAS, AZ
- Destination: E69, AZ
- Airport: E69, Payson, runway 24, 5,504 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °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 19940915027929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940915027929A), Sep 15, 1994: Cessna 210L, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Struck an elk during night landing. Elk had been observed jumping five foot per imeter fence.

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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