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NTSB Report
January 28, 1987 · Cessna T210L · N1721X
Nucla, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Nucla, CO
Aircraft
Cessna T210L
Tail Number
N1721X
Operator
Rainbow Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN87FA061
THE ACFT WAS ON AN IFR FLT TO AN ARPT WITHOUT AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE. ATC CLEARED THE FLT TO DESCEND TO 12,000 FT, THE IFR MEA FOR THE AREA, AT 30 NM NE OF THE ARPT. AT APPROX 3 MIN PRIOR TO THE MISHAP, THE PLT WAS ISSUED A CRUISE CLEARANCE AT 12,000 FT, GIVEN THE ARPT POSITION AS 12 O'CLOCK, 17 NM , AND INSTRUCTED TO REPORT HIS ARRIVAL TO FSS. THE PLT INITIATED A DESCENT ON A TRACK DIRECTLY TO THE ARPT. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AT 9200 FT MSL, NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGELINE, 13 MILES FROM THE ARPT. EVIDENCE INDICATES THE ACFT WAS IN IMC AND THAT THE RIDGELINE WAS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS. THE WEATHER AT GRAND JUNCTION, 50 NM NORTH, WAS PARTIAL OBSCURATION, LOW SCATTERED CLOUDS, 4000 OVCST, VIS 1 MILE IN FOG.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ON AN IFR FLT TO AN ARPT WITHOUT AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE. ATC CLEARED THE FLT TO DESCEND TO 12,000 FT, THE IFR MEA FOR THE AREA, AT 30 NM NE OF THE ARPT. AT APPROX 3 MIN PRIOR TO THE MISHAP, THE PLT WAS ISSUED A CRUISE CLEARANCE AT 12,000 FT, GIVEN THE ARPT POSITION AS 12 O'CLOCK, 17 NM , AND INSTRUCTED TO REPORT HIS ARRIVAL TO FSS. THE PLT INITIATED A DESCENT ON A TRACK DIRECTLY TO THE ARPT. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AT 9200 FT MSL, NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGELINE, 13 MILES FROM THE ARPT. EVIDENCE INDICATES THE ACFT WAS IN IMC AND THAT THE RIDGELINE WAS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS. THE WEATHER AT GRAND JUNCTION, 50 NM NORTH, WAS PARTIAL OBSCURATION, LOW SCATTERED CLOUDS, 4000 OVCST, VIS 1 MILE IN FOG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:08 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna T210L
Tail NumberN1721X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRainbow Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-H-4A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:10
Weather SourceWIT