Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210B near Loveland, CO — 2010-12-27

Final reportCEN11FA130
Sign in to save
Date
2010-12-27
Location
Loveland, CO, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 210B
Registration
N200EP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The pilot's intentional flight into terrain.

NTSB narrative

The airplane departed a local airport and maneuvered in the area of the accident site for about 1 hour 10 minutes. About 2 minutes before the accident, the pilot reported that he had "lost elevator control." Subsequently, radar data depicted the airplane maneuver about the same altitude before beginning a turn and rapidly descending to impact. Had the elevator failed, the pilot likely would not have been able to maintain altitude for the 2 minutes prior to the rapid descent. Further, examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the flight control system or airframe, and the signatures on the engine indicated the engine was operating at a high power setting at the time of impact. The pilot's postaccident toxicology test results revealed the use of antidepressant medications. The coroner ruled that the manner of death was suicide, and the flight profile was consistent with the pilot intentionally flying the airplane into terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have sought help or avoided flight due to mental health issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

Related mishaps