# NTSB SEA89LA013: Cessna 210E, N4961U, Wenatchee, WA, October 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1988, 06:59 local (13:59 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.370166, -120.350433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3702&lon=-120.3504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE THE PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT AT DAWN. IMPACT OCCURRED ON RISING, ROCKY TERRAIN IN A BOX CANYON AREA AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 6000 FT. NO GROUND SCARS WERE EVIDENT, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED ON A ROCKY SLIDE AREA. IT CAME TO REST IN ONE AREA WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE PROP BLADES HAD CHORDWISE NICKS, SCRAPES & DEEP GOUGES. APRX 11 MI SOUTHWEST AT WENATCHEE, WA, THE 0649 WX WAS IN PART: ESTD 9000 FT BROKEN, 25,000 FT OVERCAST, 15 MI VISIBILITY, WIND LIGHT & VARIABLE. THE ELEV OF THE WX FACILITY WAS 1245 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4961U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4961U-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 21058661 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210E
- Registry model: [Cessna 210E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210e) (registry code 2073416) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21058661
- Airframe hours: 5205
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cascade Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1988, 139 hours before
- Departed: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA
- Destination: 039, RAVENDALE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,740 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 11 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 19881018046919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881018046919A), Oct 18, 1988: Cessna 210E, Wenatchee, WA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Flew into a shear rock cliff on side off a box canyon. Appears pilot was unable to outclimb terrain in a box canyon

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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