N64EMCessna T210N · 1978

On August 26, 2020, about 1137 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T210N airplane, N64EM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Peyton, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

About 1011, the pilot departed from Meadow Lake Airport (FLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), Colorado Springs, Colorado, to have the airplane’s oxygen system serviced. About 1125, the airplane departed COS on a return flight to FLY.

A flight instructor who was providing instruction to a student pilot in a Cessna 150 airplane in the pattern at FLY stated that the accident airplane got in between the airplane he was in and another Cessna 150 airplane, which was trailing, for a landing on runway 33. The instructor felt that there was not much separation between the airplanes. The student pilot and instructor turned their airplane from the base leg onto final. The instructor thought the accident airplane had extended its downwind to make some room between the airplanes and also that the accident airplane slowed to make room because it was faster. The instructor indicated that the winds were blowing from east to west. After the student pilot and instructor landed their airplane, they heard that the accident airplane had crashed south of the runway.

The pilot in the trailing Cessna 150 airplane stated that the accident airplane entered on the downwind between his airplane and the other Cessna 150 airplane, which appeared to be significantly slower than the accident airplane. He stated that the accident airplane flew an extended downwind leg and that, while the accident airplane was turning final, it overshot the runway, increased its bank, and pitched up slightly. The airplane then impacted terrain and nosed over. The pilot observed a “puff” of white smoke, a “huge fire ball,” and black smoke. The pilot said that the accident pilot had made all “proper” radio calls, including the final turn.

The trailing pilot’s account of the events was consistent with a video playback of radar data.

A witness near the accident site said he saw the accident airplane’s wings “wiggle” and that he thought that the airplane was going to crash. He estimated the airplane was about 30 to 50 ft above the ground when it nosed down, stalled, and dropped “straight” in, impacting terrain. He also stated that he did not hear any engine sounds. There was no fire or smoke from the airplane when it was in the air. The nose landing gear separated on impact, and the airplane slid on the ground and subsequently caught on fire.

The pilot was given a notice of disapproval after his initial attempt at a private pilot examination. According to a flight instructor who subsequently endorsed the pilot’s private pilot retest, the pilot’s areas of deficiency were soft field takeoffs and short field landings. The instructor gave the pilot four additional instructional flights totaling 8.1 hours of flight time. The pilot satisfactorily passed the retesting for his private pilot certificate on October 21, 2016.

According to a mechanic who performed maintenance on the accident airplane, the engine exhibited low cylinder compression readings during an annual inspection on October 1, 2019, and the cylinders were replaced. The mechanic subsequently flew in the airplane for about 25 minutes with the pilot to “seat the new rings.” He reported that the pilot used a checklist for the takeoff and that the takeoff and landing were “normal.” However, he did advise the pilot to use flaps.

A fuel service receipt showed the accident airplane was fueled on the day of the accident about 0945 with 53.34 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline. The airplane was equipped with two 45-gallon fuel tanks, which had a total capacity of 90 gallons, of which 89 gallons was usable.

According to a mechanic who performed maintenance on the accident airplane, the engine exhibited low cylinder compression readings during an annual inspection on October 1, 2019, and the cylinders were replaced. The mechanic subsequently flew in the airplane for about 25 minutes with the pilot to “seat the new rings.” He reported that the pilot used a checklist for the takeoff and that the takeoff and landing were “normal.” However, he did advise the pilot to use flaps.

A fuel service receipt showed the accident airplane was fueled on the day of the accident about 0945 with 53.34 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline. The airplane was equipped with two 45-gallon fuel tanks, which had a total capacity of 90 gallons, of which 89 gallons was usable.

The wreckage was located about 1 mile southeast of runway 33. The left wing, left elevator, and sections of the fuselage were melted, deformed, and discolored consistent with ground fire. The outboard section of the right wing did not exhibit the same extent of thermal deformation and discoloration as the left wing. The fuel tank selector was found selecting the right tank. The propeller hub remained attached to the engine. The propeller blade that remained attached to the hub exhibited melting, deformation, and discoloration. Two propeller blades had separated from the propeller hub, and outboard sections of those blades exhibited chordwise abrasion. The flap jack screw extension was consistent with retracted flaps.

Subsequent airframe and engine examinations were conducted. No preimpact anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the El Paso County Coroner and toxicological samples were taken. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Ibuprofen (Motrin) was detected on the autopsy toxicology and is not disqualifying for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification. FAA toxicology did not detect ethanol, drugs of abuse, or carboxyhemoglobin.