Cessna T210 N5EC

Summary

On 7 October 2017 at about 03:55 local time, a Cessna T210 registered N5EC was involved in an accident near Waterford, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2017 at 03:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Waterford, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Oakland County Intl (PTK)

Coordinates

42.6647, -83.4231

Aircraft

Cessna T210

Registration

N5EC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1977

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Winchester → Waterford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

GAA18CA007

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's unstabilized approach at night, which resulted in collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the airplane reported that, while on an instrument flight rules approach to land in instrument meteorological conditions at night, he was "a little late descending" on the glideslope. He added that, during the approach, he increased the descent rate and became "a little right of course." He noticed approach lights but became "fixated" on the instruments while attempting to correct for being off course. Subsequently, the airplane struck the tops of trees, and he immediately pulled up. He landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, empennage, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, that the wind was from 140° at 5 knots, visibility 3/4 statute mile, light rain, and clouds overcast at 200 ft. The pilot landed on runway 9 and flew the RNAV GPS runway 9 approach.    

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.