# NTSB SEA90FA122: Cessna T210L, N59291, Ashford, WA, July 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1990, 12:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Ashford, WA
- Coordinates: 46.880359, -121.739738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8804&lon=-121.7397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA122

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A VFR FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC FLIGHT FOLLOWING THAT A HIGHER ALTITUDE WAS NECESSARY TO REMAIN VFR. ATC APPROVED AND INQUIRED IF THE PILOT HAD MOUNT RAINIER IN SIGHT. THE PILOT REPLIED NEGATIVE BUT THAT THEY WERE VFR ON TOP. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, AND 5 MI SSW OF MOUNT RAINIER, ATC INQUIRED IF THE PILOT HAD MOUNT RAINIER IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THIS OR THE NEXT TWO ATC TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN THE PILOT FINALLY RESPONDED TO THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION, ATC ADVISED THAT THE FLIGHT MAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN TO A HEADING OF 310, AND TO VERIFY UNLESS MOUNT RAINIER WAS IN SIGHT. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE TRANSMISSION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO MOUNT RAINIER AT THE 12,700-FT LEVEL. A CLIMBER, ON THE MOUNTAIN AT THE THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REPORTED THAT VISIBILITY WAS 50 YARDS WITH HIGH WINDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59291](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59291-1991-08-26), registration cancelled 1991-08-26, S/N 21060195 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060195
- Airframe hours: 1544
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H-4A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Aerowest Aviation Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1990, 43 hours before
- Departed: 3S2, AURORA, OR
- Destination: CYYF, PENTICTON,CAN, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,798 total, 1,588 in this make and model, 4,676 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900702023399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900702023399A), Jul 2, 1990: Cessna T210L, Ashford, WA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Struck side of mt ranier near summit. Indicates mountain obscured. ATC advised VFR flight heading to avoid mountain

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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