# NTSB SEA82FA032: Cessna P210N, N4947K, Boise, ID, January 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1982, 08:56 local (15:56 UTC)
- Place: Boise, ID
- Coordinates: 43.559783, -116.210472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5598&lon=-116.2105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FA032

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 10,000 FT MSL THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS HAVING VACUUM PROBLEMS AND WAS ON PARTIAL PANEL. SALT LAKE CITY ARTCC ANSWERED HIS REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE TO A VFR LANDING WITH NO GYRO VECTOR INSTRUCTIONS BACK TO BOISE. THE PILOT THEN STATED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TURN COORDINATOR AND THAT THE VACUUM PUMP WAS NOT OPERATING. AT 0856 THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE SALT LAKE CITY ARTCC AND BOISE APPROACH CONTROL RADAR SCOPES. NO FURTHER RADIO CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE AIRCRAFT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 18 MILES SE OF BOISE AFTER HAVING IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A NEAR VERTICAL ANGLE, STRIKING THE NOSE AND LEFT WING FIRST. EXAMINATION OF THE DRY AIR VACUUM PUMP REVEALED PREIMPACT FAILURE DAMAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - vacuum system - failure,total (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4947K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4947K-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N P21000379, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00379
- Airframe hours: 947
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520P 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard E Johnson
- Registered owner: Howard E Johnson
- Departed: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Destination: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,502 total, 36 in this make and model, 2,450 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 18 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 19820121001649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820121001649A), Jan 21, 1982: Cessna P210N, Boise, ID, Destroyed, 3 fatal. During IMC, vacuum system failed. Pilot lost control of aircraft using partial panel.

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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