# NTSB SEA88FA021: Cessna 210E, N4956U, Port Townsend, WA, November 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1987, 18:05 local (Nov 22, 1987, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Port Townsend, WA
- Coordinates: 48.029636, -122.840538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0296&lon=-122.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA021

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO THE SIDE OF MAYNARD MOUNTAIN, THE POINT OF A COASTAL LAND MASS, WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT IN IMC WX CONDITIONS. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT ON A STRAIGHT COURSE AT CRUISE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4956U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21058656
- Airframe hours: 2970
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aaron A Medres
- Registered owner: Brian A Holmes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1987
- Departed: S50, AUBURN, WA
- Destination: CLM, PORT ANGELES, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,304 total, 132 in this make and model, 2,128 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLM, 23 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 19871121075699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871121075699A), Nov 21, 1987: Cessna 210E, Port Townsend, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed on a mountain. Struck a tree prior to impact. Aircraft destroyed by fire. Mountains obscured by low ceiling

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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