# NTSB MKC86FA053: Cessna 210H, N5961F, Fremont, NE, January 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1986, 06:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, NE
- Coordinates: 41.439685, -96.490615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4397&lon=-96.4906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA053

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT OF N5961F RECEIVED A WX BRF ABOUT 40 MIN BEFORE THE ACDT FOR A VFR FLT FROM FREMONT TO CHEYENNE. THE 3 REPORTING STATIONS NEAREST TO FREMONT WERE IFR AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES WHO HELPED SEARCH FOR THE ACDT SITE REPORTED LOW CLOUDS AND HAZE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE CRASH BUT RESIDENTS NEAR THE ACDT SITE HEARD THE LOUD ROAR OF ACFT ENG THAT ENDED WITH A CRASHING SOUND. A MOTORIST WHO WAS W OF THE ACDT SITE HEADING E REPORTED THAT HE SAW A LIGHT DESCENDING FROM N TO S AT ABOUT A 45 DEG ANGLE TO THE HORIZON AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACDT. IT WAS DARK AT THE TIME OF THE ACDT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BENEATH A LARGE HOLE IN THE ICE OF A LAKE LOCATED 2 MI W OF THE DEPT ARPT. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECH FAILURE OR DEFICIENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5961F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5961F-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 21058961, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210H
- Registry model: [Cessna 210H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210h) (registry code 2073436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21058961
- Airframe hours: 4628
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Shawn W. Brady And Duane Bell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1985, 137 hours before
- Destination: CALIFORNIA, CA
- Airport: FET, Fremont Muni

## 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.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 483 total, 99 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 32 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 19860119001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860119001579A), Jan 19, 1986: Cessna 210H, Fremont, NE, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Impacted ice on lake during hours of darkness. VFR pilot in IFR conditions lost ground references and crashed.

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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