# NTSB NYC07LA036: Cessna T210N, N210MP, Caldwell, NJ, November 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 2006, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, NJ - Coordinates: 40.875, -74.281112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8750&lon=-74.2811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64907/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA036 ## Probable cause The private pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the night light conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - altitude/clearance - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause) - object - tree(s) - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane was being flown by a non-instrument rated private pilot, who was conducting a visual approach, in night visual metrological conditions to a 3,721-foot-long, asphalt runway. A flight instructor was handling the radio communications. Both pilots reported that the private pilot was the pilot-in-command (PIC) of the flight, however, the flight instructor listed himself as the PIC on an instrument flight rules flight plan that was filed for the flight. The airplane was lined-up for the runway, and was cleared to land, when it struck trees on final approach. The private pilot stabilized the airplane and subsequently landed on the runway; however, the nose gear collapsed after touchdown, and the airplane veered off the runway, onto a grass area. The propeller, right aileron, left horizontal stabilizer, and the left and right elevator were damaged. The private pilot reported 200 hours of total flight experience, with 50 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The flight instructor reported 2,400 hours of total flight experience, with 80 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 2006, about 1830 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210N, N210MP, was substantially damaged while on approach to the Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor, the private pilot, and the two passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Tipton Airport, Odenton, Maryland. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane was being flown by the private pilot, who was seated in the left seat and was conducting a visual approach to runway 9, a 3,721-foot-long, asphalt runway. The flight instructor seated in the right seat, was handling the radio communications. Both pilots reported that the private pilot was the pilot-in-command (PIC) of the flight, however, the private pilot was not instrument rated and the flight instructor listed himself as the PIC on the IFR flight plan. The private pilot reported that the airplane was initially cleared to land on runway 4; however, he lined-up for runway 9, and was subsequently cleared to land on runway 9 by the air traffic control tower. While on final approach, the airplane struck trees. The private pilot stabilized the airplane and subsequently landed on runway 9; however, the nose gear collapsed after touch down, and the airplane veered off the runway, onto a grass area. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any. In addition to the nose gear, damage was observed on the propeller, right aileron, left horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. According to an FAA inspector, the private pilot reported 200 hours of total flight experience, with 50 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane, and the flight instructor reported 2,400 hours of total flight experience, with 80 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. A weather observation taken at CDW, at 1853, reported: wind from 110 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 4 degrees Celsius (C); dew point -4 degrees C; altimeter 30.51 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N210MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210MP), registered now, S/N 21063193, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210N - Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21063193 - Engines: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520R 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael T. Mulcahy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FME, Odenton, MD - Destination: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CDW, Essex County, runway 9, 3,721 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 2,400 total, 80 in this make and model - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.51 inHg - Observed at: CDW ## 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 20061121028109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061121028109A), Nov 21, 2006: Cessna T210N, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) This was an IFR flight, and it was cleared for a visual approach and handed off to Caldwell tower. The tower controller told the pilot to enter a left… ## Other investigations on N210MP (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI03LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA159), Jun 13, 2003: Cessna T210N (N210MP), Tribune, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of the turbocharger exhaust band clamp resulting in an in-flight fire and uncommanded landing gear extension. Also causal was the improper maintenance by unknown personnel. 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.