# NTSB NYC87FA109: Cessna P210R, N6434A, Block Island, RI, March 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1987, 11:44 local (16:44 UTC)
- Place: Block Island, RI
- Location: 41.1918° N, 71.5745° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Block Island, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1918&lon=-71.5745&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA109

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE CONTROLLER'S SCOPE WHILE RECEIVING RADAR VECTORS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS MISSING UNTIL MARCH 20, 1987 WHEN FISHERMEN PULLED PART OF THE WRECKAGE OUT OF OCEAN WATERS NEAR BLOCK ISLAND, RI. THE ENGINE AND PROPELLER, ENGINE FIREWALL, ENTIRE EMPENNAGE AND OUTER WING AREAS WERE NOT RECOVERED. THE 59-YEAR-OLD PILOT WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE FLIGHT AT 16,000 FEET M.S.L. WHILE ON AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN TO NEW BERN, NC IN THE PREVAILING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. WEATHER FORECASTS SHOWED THE FREEZING LEVEL TO BE ON OR NEAR THE SURFACE WITH LIGHT TO OCCASIONAL MODERATE RIME ICE BELOW 14,000 FEET M.S.L. THE PILOT HAD 417 FLIGHT HOURS INCLUDING 29 HOURS ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TIME. THE FAILURE TO RECOVER ALL OF THE WRECKAGE PRECLUDED THE SAFETY BOARD FROM MAKING A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, POWERPLANT OR OTHER COMPONENT WAS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6434A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6434A-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N P21000871, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210R
- Registry model: [Cessna P210R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210r) (registry code 2073455) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000871
- Airframe hours: 27
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. Dewire, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: HYA, HYANNIS, MA
- Destination: EWN, NEW BERN, NC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 417 total, 30 in this make and model, 315 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GON, 24 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 19870313006399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870313006399A), Mar 13, 1987: Cessna P210R, Block Island, RI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into ocean during IFR radar victors. Advisory for low ceilings icing and snow existed. Deice equipped.

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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