# NTSB SEA99LA153: Cessna 210B, N9740X, Dixie, ID, September 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 1999, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Dixie, ID - Coordinates: 45.800151, -115.509925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8002&lon=-115.5099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47343 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47343/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA153 ## Probable cause Inadequate airspeed and clearance was not maintained. Mountainous conditions, trees, and an inadequately planned approach were factors. ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final approach to a private mountain airstrip, the canyon that he was following was narrow, required steep turns to maintain terrain clearance, and that the elevation varied. About one-quarter to one-half mile south of the airstrip, the pilot's visual picture of the approach no longer appeared correct to him in that he felt that he was too low and close to the creek. The pilot retracted the landing gear and applied full power, however, the terrain necessitated a series of steep, approximate 60 degree bank angle turns to maintain terrain clearance, and the rate of climb while performing these turns was near zero feet/min. The pilot stated that because the nose was high and the speed slow; the stall warning horn was sounding. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and leveled the wings just prior to collision with the trees. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 1999, approximately 1145 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 210B, N9740X, registered to Prairie Falcon Aviation Corp., and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees while on final approach to a private mountain airstrip near Dixie, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight had departed from another private airstrip near Dixie, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that this was his first time into this airstrip. He first overflew the airstrip to determine the wind direction, then proceeded to the south down the canyon, following the river. The pilot then made a 180 degree turn for the approach to the north. At this time, 40 degrees of flaps and the landing gear were extended. The pilot reported that the canyon is narrow, requires steep turns to maintain terrain clearance, and that the terrain elevation varies. The pilot stated that about one-quarter to one-half mile south of the airstrip, "the visual picture no longer appeared correct in that I was too low and close to the creek." The pilot retracted the landing gear and applied full power to climb to a more suitable altitude. Because the terrain necessitated a series of steep, approximate 60 degree bank angle turns to maintain terrain clearance, the rate of climb while performing these turns was near zero feet/min. The pilot stated that "because the nose was high and the speed slow; the stall warning horn was alarming." The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and leveled the wings just prior to the collision with the trees. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane at the time of the accident. The airport facilities directory recommends landing to the north and taking off to the south. The Idaho Airports Directory cautions: Before using this airport, special consideration should be given to density altitude, turbulence, and mountain flying proficiency. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9740X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9740X-2013-05-24), registration cancelled 2013-05-24, S/N 21058040, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210B - Registry model: [Cessna 210B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210b) (registry code 2073410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21058040 - Airframe hours: 5025 - Engines: Continental IO-470-S9B 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David E. Sheldon - Registered owner: Prairie Falcon Av. Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1999, 50 hours before - Departed: ID - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,187 total, 1,118 in this make and model, 2,005 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19990904041039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990904041039A), Sep 4, 1999: Cessna 210B, Dixie, ID, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated he passed over Dixie airport and proceeded down crooked creek for a downwind approach to land to the north, as recommended in the id… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.