# NTSB LAX96LA253: Cessna P210, N4766K, Grand Canyon, AZ, June 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1996, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 36.029533, -112.019897 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0295&lon=-112.0199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29489/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA253 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to use his brakes to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - brakes(normal) - not used, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The airplane touched down left of centerline and rolled for about 2,000 feet. The airplane encountered a crosswind gust of 9 knots. The pilot held the right wing down and when that did not work he added power. The airplane then veered right across the runway onto the shoulder and struck the runway light remote control unit. The airplane continued across the parallel taxiway and into a rocky area. The airplane covered a distance of approximately 4,000 feet on the ground before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane brakes found no evidence of malfunction. The pilot operating handbook states in part, 'When landing in a crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length. After touchdown, hold a straight course with the steerable nose wheel and occasional braking if necessary.' The pilot also indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1996, at 1230 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna P210, N4766K, collided with the terrain after an on ground loss of control while landing on runway 01 at the Valle Airport, Grand Canyon, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The sole passenger was not injured. The flight originated from the North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, about 1100 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot indicated the airplane landed fine and encountered a crosswind gust. The pilot stated he held the right wing down and when that did not work he added power. The airplane veered right and departed the runway. The airplane traveled several hundred feet before colliding with rough and uneven terrain. The pilot also indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. An airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Las Vegas Flight Standards District Office examined the accident airplane at the Valle Airport. According to the inspector, the airplane touched down left of centerline and rolled for about 2,000 feet. The airplane then veered right across the runway onto the right shoulder and struck the runway light remote control unit. The airplane continued across the parallel taxiway and into a rocky area. The airplane covered a distance of approximately 4,000 feet on the ground before coming to a stop. The airworthiness inspector examined the airplane brakes and found no evidence of malfunction. The pilot operating handbook for the Cessna P210 states, "When landing in a crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length. Although the crab method of drift corrections may be used, the wing low method gives the best control. After touchdown, hold a straight course with the steerable nose wheel and occasional braking if necessary." The winds at the airport were reported to be from 080 degrees at 9 knots at the approximate time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4766K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4766K-2001-01-19), registration cancelled 2001-01-19, S/N P21000297 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna P210 - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000297 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-D1B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Shustek, Michael V. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1996 - Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV - Destination: 40G - Airport: 40G, Valle, runway 1, 4,199 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 485 total, 67 in this make and model, 418 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 9 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: 40G ## 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 19960629015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960629015539A), Jun 29, 1996: Cessna P210N, Grand Canyon, AZ, Destroyed. Departed runway landing. Blamed crosswind gust. Struck runway light box into rocks. Improper crosswind technique. (-16) on June 29, 1996, at 1230 mountain… 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.