Cessna T210L N93336

Summary

On 19 August 1992 at about 03:15 local time, a Cessna T210L registered N93336, operated by Jack H. Ramsthaler, was involved in an accident near Jackpot, Nevada, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 1992 at 03:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Jackpot, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Hayden Field (06U)

Coordinates

41.8793, -114.7798

Aircraft

Cessna T210L

Registration

N93336

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jack H. Ramsthaler

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Idaho Falls

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX92LA357

4 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT ALLOWING HIMSELF TO BECOME DISTRACTED WHILE SEARCHING FOR A LANDING LIGHT SWITCH DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT AND THE RESULTANT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB HE WAS BOTHERED BY THE FLICKER EFFECT OF THE PROPELLER IN THE LANDING LIGHT. HE SAID HE LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND REACHED DOWN TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'THEY [THE SWITCH LABELS] WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND I SPENT AN UNKNOWN, BUT EXCESSIVE, AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO MAKE SURE I WOULD TURN OFF THE CORRECT LIGHTS.' THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE LOOKED UP THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THERE ARE NO GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS ON THE DEPARTURE PATH OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH NO MOON.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.