Cessna T210K N9457M

Summary

On 26 May 2000 at about 21:15 local time, a Cessna T210K registered N9457M was involved in an accident near Buena Vista, Colorado, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 2000 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Buena Vista, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

38.8291, -106.1404

Aircraft

Cessna T210K

Registration

N9457M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Broomfield → Halls Crossing

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN00FA095

3 people died.

the pilot's disregard of the weather forecast, and his VFR flight into IMC. Contributing factors were snow showers, fog, and the mountainous terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot filed a flight plan, and was briefed of mountain obscuration and that VFR flight was not recommended. A witness driving over a mountain pass observed the airplane flying at an estimated 300 to 400 feet AGL. The witness said that the fog and snow showers allowed him to follow the airplane only for a few seconds. Search and rescue personnel located the wreckage on a heavily forested mountainside two days later. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact engine or airframe abnormalities that might have affected the airplane's performance. Toxicological reports indicate that the pilot had the metabolites of Valium and Prozac in his body. The FAA does not approve these prescribed medications for pilots, while they are on flight statues.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.