# NTSB MKC86FA030: Cessna P210N, N86JB, Tontitown, AR, November 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1985, 19:15 local (Nov 25, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Tontitown, AR
- Location: 36.1674° N, 94.2421° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tontitown, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1674&lon=-94.2421&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING TWO ERRATIC 360 DEG TURNS IN A HOLDING PATTERN WEST OF THE RAZORBACK VORTAC STATION, THE PLT WAS INSTRUCTED TO PROCEED VIA THE 218 DEG RADIAL OF THE RAZORBACK VORTAC UNTIL REACHING THE ELMIE INTERSECTION AND TO HOLD. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER THE PLT RPTD ENTERING A HOLD AT THE ELMIE INTERSECTION AND WAS CLEARED AFTER REACHING 4000 FT FOR THE LOCALIZER 16 APCH. RADAR TRACK DATA SHOWED THE ACFT MADE A TURN TO THE EAST AFTER ENTERING THE HOLDING PATTERN IN ORDER TO INTERCEPT THE LOCALIZER. THE ACFT THEN DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AND NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WERE RECEIVED. THE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, 1 MILE NORTH OF TONTITOWN, AR, IN AN OPEN FLD. NO PRE-IMPACT MECHAINCAL FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. ILLEGAL DRUGS WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE IN AN OPEN CONTAINER. NO AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED AND TOXICOLOGICAL SAMPLES WERE INSUFFICIENT FOR TESTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N86JB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P210000430
- Airframe hours: 1989
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Conner, doing business as Tailwinds Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1985
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Destination: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 115 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 10 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 19851124057839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851124057839A), Nov 24, 1985: Cessna P210N, Tontitown, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. After erratic turns during requested holding pattern aircraft impacted ground nearly vertical.

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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