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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 5, 1997 · Cessna T210N · N4864U

Silver City, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1997
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Silver City, NM
Aircraft
Cessna T210N
Tail Number
N4864U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA155

The pilot overflew the airport at midfield, and noticed that the wind sock was fully extended, which verified 'that the winds were over 10-15 MPH.' The pilot extended the flaps to 30 degrees, and during the crosswind landing to runway 35, the aircraft 'touched down just past the numbers.' During the landing roll, a gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the right. In an attempt to keep the aircraft on the runway, the pilot 'overcorrected' causing it to exit the left side of the runway. The aircraft continued parallel to the runway for approximately 600 feet, impacted a mound of dirt, and came to rest inverted. A local law enforcement officer reported that the winds at the accident site were westerly at 25 to 35 MPH, with gusts up to 45 MPH.

NTSB Probable Cause

The high wind and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors were the crosswind and wind gusts.

Full Narrative

On April 5, 1997, approximately 1145 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210N, N4864U, registered to and operated by Sawyer Aviation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control during landing roll at the Whiskey Creek Airport near Silver City, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed for the cross country flight. The commercial pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Phoenix, Arizona, about 2 hours 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot recalled that "the surface winds were reported to be from the west from 18-20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH." He flew over mid-field and noticed that the wind sock was fully extended, which verified "that the winds were over 10-15 MPH." He extended the flaps to 30 degrees, and during the crosswind landing to runway 35, the aircraft "touched down just past the numbers." During the landing roll, the aircraft started to veer to the right of the centerline, and he corrected with left rudder. The aircraft then "weather vaned into the wind," and veered off the left side of the runway. He applied right rudder and was paralleling the runway when the aircraft impacted a mound of dirt. A local law enforcement officer who responded to the accident reported the following information. The weather was clear "with 25 to 35 MPH westerly winds and wind gusts up to 45 MPH." The pilot reported that he was completing a crosswind landing when "a gust of wind" pushed the aircraft to the right (east). In an attempt to keep the aircraft on the runway he "overcorrected causing the aircraft to exit the west edge of the runway." Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed tire marks exiting the left side of the runway about 1,200 feet from the approach end of the runway. The tire marks continued parallel to the runway for approximately 600 feet to a mound of dirt, which was approximately 3-foot in height. The aircraft was found just beyond the dirt mound inverted with the tip of the right wing about 3 feet from the runway. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the nose landing gear was separated, the right main landing gear box was damaged, and the left main landing gear was bent. All of the engine mounts were fractured, the vertical stabilizer was crushed, and the right wing was bent between the aileron and flap.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 MST
Nearest AirportWhiskey Creek (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length5350 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T210N
Tail NumberN4864U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-R7B · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data