# NTSB WPR24LA046: Cessna P210N, N7LV, Big Bear, CA, December 2, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 2, 2023, 13:43 local (21:43 UTC) - Place: Big Bear, CA - Coordinates: 34.263719, -116.86656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2637&lon=-116.8666&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Rolls Royce, Textron Aviation, Woodward Inc., FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA046 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had topped off the airplane with fuel and was departing on a cross-country flight. Just after lifting off the runway during takeoff, the airplane began to lose power; it then descended and landed on the remaining runway. The airplane exited the end of the runway, impacted a fence, crossed a road, and then nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of power after takeoff could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 2, 2023, about 1343 Pacific standard time, a Cessna P210N, N7LV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Big Bear City Airport (L35), Big Bear, California. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that after landing at L35,, he topped off the wing fuel tanks and taxied to runway 26 for the return flight back to Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL), Fullerton, California. During the takeoff, he applied takeoff power and rotated at 80 knots. Shortly after lifting off the runway, he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot checked the positions of his engine control levers and then attempted to land on the remaining runway. He reported that there was no time to troubleshoot. As the airplane descended back to the runway, he heard the engine wind down to a stop. The pilot applied maximum braking but was unable to stop before exiting the end of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a fence, crossed a road, and then nosed over in soft soil, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A video of the accident airplane during the departure was captured by an individual located at the airport ramp. After a normal departure roll, the airplane departed the runway at the 3,000 ft runway marker and climbed to about 40 ft above ground level. Shortly after, the airplane started to descend, the tail began to oscillate up and down. The video ends as the airplane stabilized near the 1,000 ft runway marker and about 5 ft above the runway. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s fuel system was examined, and no anomalies were noted. Flight control continuity was established, and the flaps were found near their retracted position. All cockpit controls were connected to their respective components and functioned normally. The propeller assembly and propeller governor were examined and tested and revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. The maintenance records revealed that the last 100-hour inspection was performed August 18, 2023, by PropJet Aviation, in Windsor, California. The airplane had a total airframe time of 5,545.4 hours; the engine total time since new read 1,679.0 hours; and the propeller was installed new 525.0 hours before the inspection. The airplane had 9.3 hours of operation since the last inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7LV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7LV), registered now, S/N P21000506, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000506 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 5470 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250B175/2 450 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Surfside Consulting - Registered owner: Surfside Consulting - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2023, 9 hours before - Destination: FUL, Fullerton, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,250 total, 1,430 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 5.8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KL35, 1 nm away - METAR: KL35 022135Z AUTO 27008KT 10SM CLR 10/M15 A3021 RMK AO2 ## 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 20231202017679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231202017679A), Dec 2, 2023: Cessna P210N, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed kful and landed at Big Bear Airport (L35) for fuel. Aircraft fueled with 68.8 gallons of jet a. aircraft taxied to runway 26. Aircraft took… ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193468. 44.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 13 pages, 8.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16461628&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Video of departure (item 2, MP4, 15.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18879375&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=n7lv_l35_departure%20(Original)-Rel.mp4 - Photo array-courtesy of the L35 airport manager (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18881654&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-L35%20Airport%20Manager-Rel.pdf - Fuel receipt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18879412&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Rolls-royce field observations (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 385 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18879031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RR%20Engine%20Observations-Rel.pdf - NTSB wreckage examination summary report (item 6, PDF, 7 pages, 669 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19237917&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA046%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Summary%20Report-Rel.pdf - NTSB propeller examination summary report (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18879422&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA046%20Propeller%20Examination%20Summary%20Report-Rel.pdf - NTSB video-propeller test bench (item 8, MP3, 13.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18880088&FileExtension=MP3&FileName=PropExamPressureTest-Rel.MP3 - NTSB component examination summary report (item 9, PDF, 9 pages, 8 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19238614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA046%20Propeller%20Governor%20Examination%20Summary%20--%20WPR24LA046%20(Final)-Rel.pdf - NTSB fuel pump examination and testing-notes (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18887389&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Pump%20Exams%20at%20Triumph%20WPR24LA046-NTSB%20Stephen%20Yee_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation-woodward (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 789 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18879148&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form-Woodward_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation-textron aviation (item 12, PDF, 14 pages, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18886365&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Form%20-%20WPR24LA046-TA_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.