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January 10, 1994 · Cessna P210N · N5384W

San Martin, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 10, 1994
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
San Martin, CA
Aircraft
Cessna P210N
Tail Number
N5384W
Operator
Robert J Kushner
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX94LA091

The pilot said that as the aircraft entered the initial climb after rotation, the airspeed began decreasing. He lowered the nose slightly to counter the decreasing airspeed and the aircraft hit the ground shortly thereafter. FBO personnel at the airport said the pilot attempted to takeoff with ground visibility of 150 feet in heavy fog. The FBO line person who fueled the aircraft just prior to departure stated that he had to 'scrape ice away from the fuel filler ports on the wings in order to open the fuel caps.' The line person said the ice was like frozen dew and very rough in character. An FAA inspector stated that he found a series of propeller slashes in the ground just beyond the end of the runway. A path of ground scars led through a damaged fence and terminated at the aircraft wreckage about one eighth of a mile from the runway end. No discrepancies were noted in the examination of the aircraft or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper aircraft preflight inspection, and his failure to use pitot heat during the takeoff in icing conditions, which led to a blocked pitot tube. The blockage resulted in erroneous airspeed indications during the initial climb, which induced the pilot to reduce the aircraft pitch attitude to a point where the aircraft entered an uncorrected descent to ground impact.

Full Narrative

On January 10, 1994, at 0730 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna P210N, N5384W, collided with the ground following an inflight loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at South County Airport, San Martin, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and included a witness reported indefinite ceiling, visibility 150 feet in heavy fog. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground collision sequence and post crash fire. The certificated private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries; however, the remaining passenger incurred minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a personal cross country flight to Mammoth Lakes, California. In a verbal statement, the pilot said that as the aircraft entered the initial climb after rotation, the airspeed began decreasing. He lowered the nose slightly to counter the decreasing airspeed and the aircraft hit the ground shortly thereafter. The owner of a fixed base operation at the airport reported that the aircraft attempted to takeoff on runway 32. The witness stated that the ground visibility was 150 feet in heavy fog at the time, and, that ice was present on the wings of aircraft parked on the flight line. The FBO line person who fueled the accident aircraft just prior to departure stated that he had to "scrape ice away from the fuel filler ports on the wings in order to open the fuel caps." The line person said the ice was like frozen dew and very rough in character. All of the ground witnesses at the airport stated that strong engine sounds were heard during the takeoff sequence to ground impact. An FAA inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site. He reported that when he arrived at 0930 hours the visibility was still near zero in heavy fog. The inspector stated that he found a series of perpendicular ground scars similar to propeller slashes in the ground just beyond the end of the runway. A path of ground scars was observed proceeding through a damaged fence and terminating at the aircraft wreckage, which came to rest near a freeway onramp about one eighth of a mile from the departure end of the runway. The fuselage and inboard portions of both wings were consumed by fire. The inspector reported that he found the landing gear retracted and the flap actuator extended to five degrees. No discrepancies were noted in the examination of the dual vacuum pump installation. No cockpit instrumentation survived the post crash fire. No discrepancies were noted during examination of the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 PST
Nearest AirportSouth County Airport (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P210N
Tail NumberN5384W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert J Kushner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-P · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility0.1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 36 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data