# NTSB NYC83FA198: Cessna 210H, N1968X, Marlborough, CT, August 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1983, 21:15 local (Aug 1, 1983, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Marlborough, CT
- Location: 41.6040° N, 72.4437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SALMON RIVER AIRFIELD (9B8), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6040&lon=-72.4437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND ON A FOGGY NIGHT AT AN ARPT WITH NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH FACILITIES OR CONTROL. THE 67 YEAR OLD PLT HAD CANCELED HIS IFR FLT PLAN AT 2110 EDT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 2115 EDT. THE PLT AND 2 PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED. ONE PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH A BROKEN JAW, ELBOWS AND NOSE. HE WAS SEATED IN THE RIGHT REAR WITH SEAT BELT UNFASTENED AND REMEMBERS AWAKENING TO SEE THE RWY LIGHTS AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE ACFT. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND MAKING NO UNUSUAL NOISES. A FRIEND HAD TURNED THE ARPTLIGHTS ON AT ABOUT 2000 HRS EDT. A WITNESS SAID THERE WAS A LOW LEVEL GROUND FOG BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE STREETLIGHTS NEAR THE ARPT AT 2130 EDT. AT NEW HAVEN CT THE WEATHER WAS BELOW MINIMUMS. THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING RWY 17. THE HEADING OF ITS COLLISION PATH WAS 148 DEGREES. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST 900 FT FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY AND 270 FTEAST OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1968X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1968X-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 21058987, built 1968 (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: 21058987
- Airframe hours: 2653
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edwin A. Barton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1982, 62 hours before
- Departed: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA
- Destination: 9B8, MARLBOROUGH, CT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 9B8, Somers, runway 17, 2,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HFD, 13 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 19830731042359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830731042359A), Jul 31, 1983: Cessna 210H, Marlborough, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees during approach to a grass strip at night with ground fog in area. Had cancelled IFR airport in sight.

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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