# NTSB WPR20LA258: Cessna T210, N761RG, Hanna, UT, August 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 7, 2020, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Hanna, UT - Coordinates: 40.566944, -110.500274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5669&lon=-110.5003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 4 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 101759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101759/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101759 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA258 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed after a partial loss of power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall from which the pilot could not recover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a personal flight with five passengers aboard. Shortly after departing, the airplane flew over rising terrain to an altitude of 12,896 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot reported that the airplane lost partial engine power during a turn over mountainous terrain and was not able to produce enough power to sustain lift. The pilot then conducted a forced landing near a lake shoreline. An onboard video of the flight was recorded by the front-seat passenger. Examination of the onboard video showed that the stall warning horn sounded before the airplane crossed the shoreline, after which the airplane likely entered an aerodynamic stall. A screen shot of the instrument panel at this time showed that the rpm gauge indicated about 1,600 rpm, manifold pressure gauge was at 19 inches of mercury, and the fuel flow gauge needle was off scale. The throttle, propeller and mixture levers were all in the fully forward position. The fuel tank quantity indicator read about 19 gallons for the left tank and about 12 gallons for the right tank. Calculations from the engine data revealed that about 8 1/2 gallons of fuel was consumed during the flight. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. Given the available information for this investigation, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 2020, about 1145 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T210M airplane, N2245S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hanna, Utah. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, and four passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Flight track data showed the airplane as it departed from Roosevelt Municipal Airport (74V), Roosevelt, Utah, and climbed northwest over mountainous terrain to an altitude of 12,896 ft mean sea level (msl) during the first 20 minutes of the 25-minute flight. The flight track then showed that the airplane’s altitude decreased as the airplane approached a large canyon. The pilot reported that the airplane lost partial engine power during a turn over mountainous terrain. The pilot did not describe what actions, if any, he took to address the partial loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he decided to fly down the canyon as the propeller continued to windmill. He initiated a forced landing to an open field, where the airplane made a hard landing. The field was near the shoreline of a lake at an elevation was 8,100 ft msl, and the accident site was south and down the canyon about 7 1/2 miles. The figure below shows the accident flight track; shortly after the airplane reached the canyon, the flight track data ended. Figure. Accident flight track and accident location. An onboard video of the flight was recorded by the front-seat passenger. Shortly after the engine was started, the fuel selector handle was positioned from the right tank to the left tank. The fuel tank quantity indicator showed about 19 gallons for the left tank and about 12 gallons for the right tank. About 20 minutes into the flight, when the airplane was over the lake, the sound the engine rpm increased momentarily and then began to fluctuate at a lower rpm. The sound of the engine then slowly decreased through to the end of the video recording. The pilot prepared the airplane for a forced landing by extending the landing gear and announcing his intentions to the passengers. As the airplane approached the shoreline, the stall warning horn was heard intermittently before the airplane banked to the left and impacted terrain. A screenshot of the instrument panel at that time showed that the rpm gauge indicated about 1,600 rpm, the manifold pressure gauge was at 19 inches of mercury, and the fuel flow gauge needle was off the scale. The throttle, propeller, and mixture levers were all in the fully forward position. The pilot had his private pilot checkride endorsement on May 27, 2016, and he had about 250 hours of total flight experience. His last biannual flight review was on June 16, 2020. At the time of the accident, the pilot’s third-class medical was overdue by about 6 months. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that, on June 12, 2020, the engine had accumulated 947 hours of operation since itsoverhaul. The airplane had a completed a top overhaul about 30 flight hours of operation before the accident. Engine data that were downloaded from an onboard instrument revealed that the fuel flow decreased from 20 to about 16 gallons per hour. The fuel flow remained at 16 gallons per hour for about 1 minute before rising to about 18 gallons per hour before dropping again to about zero. A few seconds later, the engine rpm increases momentarily to just above 2,500 rpm and then slowly decreased to about 1,900 rpm. Calculations based on the data revealed that about 8 1/2 gallons of fuel was consumed during the flight. The accident site examination revealed that the airplane’s forward fuselage and cabin area were crushed upward and that the engine was partially separated from the firewall. Both wings were buckled near the tips. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. A sound spectrum analysis of the onboard video was performed but was unable to determine if the engine speed decrease was due to a lack of cylinder combustion or if the engine continued operating but at a reduced speed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N761RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N761RG), registered now, S/N 21062453 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21062453 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3991 - Engines: Continental Motors TSIO-520 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2020, 147 hours before - Departed: 74V, Roosevelt, UT - Airport: 74V, Roosevelt Muni - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 745 total, 308 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KVEL, 46 nm away - METAR: METAR KVEL 071653Z AUTO 12005KT 10SM CLR 24/M02 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP130 ## Other investigations on N761RG (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 LAX83FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA122), Mar 4, 1983: Cessna 210M (N761RG), La Verne, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (15 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101759. 19.3 MB in all. - Photo array-duchesne county sherrifs office (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14710471&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-LEO-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record-Mr. Feild (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14708075&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum-Shad-Rel.pdf - Occupant VIDEO1 (item 3, MOV, 9.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12219957&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Video-Rel.MOV - Occupant video 2 (item 4, 3GP, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12218868&FileExtension=3gp&FileName=img95625711003-Rel.3gp - Photo array-google earth view of the ADS-B flight track (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14786689&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=GE%20Aerial%20Views%20of%20ADS-B%20Flight%20Track-Rel.pdf - Raw ADS-B data (item 6, PDF, 8 pages, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14785835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RAW%20ADS-B%20Data-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation-textron aviation (item 7, PDF, 10 pages, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14683158&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=TA%20Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Sound spectrum study (item 8, PDF, 4 pages, 428 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12226171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Hanna_Sound_Spectrum_Study_final-Rel.pdf - NTSB airframe examination summary (item 9, PDF, 6 pages, 13 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14724324&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA258%20Airframe%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - NTSB engine examination summary (item 10, PDF, 10 pages, 20 photos, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14724182&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA258%20Engine%20Examination%20Summary%20Report-Rel.pdf - Jpi raw engine data (item 11, PDF, 3 pages, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13768195&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flt361-Rel.pdf - Jpi data line charts (item 12, PDF, 3 pages, 344 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14713596&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Data%20Graphs-Rel.pdf - FAA logbook review (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14683148&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Logbook%20review_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fuel receipts (item 14, PDF, 2 pages, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14728096&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Refueling%20Log_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 15, PDF, 1 page, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14787655&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=73999%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.