# NTSB WPR10CA190: Cessna T210N, N4137C, Truckee, CA, April 3, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2010, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.319519, -120.180213 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3195&lon=-120.1802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75665 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75665/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75665 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to identify the snow-covered runway, which resulted in an off-runway landing and subsequent collision with a berm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T210N, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073456), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While nearing the vicinity of the destination airport, the pilot received an airport condition report from airport personnel. The report indicated that there was ice with a 1- to 2-inch layer of snow blanketing the runway surface. On final approach, the pilot aligned the airplane for landing and flared over what he thought was the normal touchdown point, when in actuality the airplane touched down about 50 feet north of, and parallel to, the runway. While on the landing roll the airplane encountered a snow berm at the edge of a cross runway that collapsed the nose landing gear and damaged the firewall. The pilot opined that his complacency and deviation from standard aeronautical decisionmaking practices resulted in the accident. The pilot additionally reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to impact. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he regularly commutes between the departure and destination airports, a majority of which is conducted in the winter months. While nearing the vicinity of the destination airport, the pilot received an airport condition report from airport personnel. The report indicated that there was runway ice with a 1- to 2-inch layer of snow blanketing the surface. On final approach the pilot aligned the airplane for landing on runway 28. He flared the airplane over what he thought was the normal touchdown point on the snow covered runway. The airplane touched down on the airport property about 50 feet north, and parallel to, the runway. While on the landing roll the airplane encountered a snow berm at the edge of runway 19. The pilot opined that his extensive experience landing at the airport, and the relatively benign weather conditions, led to his complacency and deviation from standard aeronautical decision making practices; he believed this combination resulted in the accident. The pilot additionally reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to impact. As a result of the impact, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4137C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4137C), registered now, S/N 21063566, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N - Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21063566 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SQL, San Carlos, CA - Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe Airport, runway 28, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 2,244 total, 1,794 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 20100403030819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100403030819A), Apr 3, 2010: Cessna T210N, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot lined up and landed on what he thought was runway 28. He actually landed to the north of the runway striking snow berms as he crossed runway 1/19. ## Other investigations on N4137C (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA86LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA184), Jul 25, 1986: Cessna T-210 (N4137C), Battle Mountain, NV, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75665. 502 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.