# NTSB MIA86FA055: Cessna 210L, N73SN, Lake City, FL, January 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1986, 13:14 local (18:14 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.189062, -82.640762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1891&lon=-82.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Abrupt maneuver, descent - uncontrolled
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ON A VFR FLIGHT FROM FLORIDA TO MICHIGAN THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING. 53 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THE PILOT CONTACTED JACKSONVILLE ARTCC AND REPORTED HE HAD FLOWN VFR INTO THE CLOUDS AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE AIRCRAFT. ATC ATTEMPTED TO GET THE AIRCRAFT TO A CLEAR AREA BUT BEFORE THEY COULD THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS DESCENDING AND UPSIDE DOWN. THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO CONTACT. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE AIRCRAFT MANUEVERING AND DIVING FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION AND THE SOUND OF FALLING DEBRIS. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED AS VERY RAINY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT WRECKAGE REVEALED THE RIGHT WING FAILED DUE TO PLT OVERLOAD AND THEN STRUCK THE TAIL SEVERING IT. AFTER THIS THE FUSELAGE TRAVELED ANOTHER 1/2 MILE. EXAMINATION OF PILOT RECORDS REVEALED HE HAD A TOTAL OF 1.2 HOURS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME, THE LAST .2 BEING ON HIS PRIVATE PLT CHECKRIDE 18 MONTHS BEFORE THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73SN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73SN-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 21059930, built 1973 (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: 21059930
- Airframe hours: 2547
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Theodore J. Horefitis, II
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: X41, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL
- Destination: 76G, MARINE CITY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 299 total, 40 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 40 nm away

## 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 19860104000089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860104000089A), Jan 4, 1986: Cessna 210L, Lake City, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off and flew into a low ceiling. Wing and tail failed after he lost control in area of heavy rain,low ceiling.

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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