Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 4, 2020, about 1150 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 210 airplane, N9568X, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Cedaredge, Colorado. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he and the passenger departed from Blake Field Airport (AJZ), Delta, Colorado, with 60 gallons of fuel onboard. Before departure, he added 2 quarts of oil to the engine. He departed to the north and climbed along the valley parallel to the grand mesa. The airplane was at least 1,000 ft above ground level (about 11,000 ft mean sea level (msl)) and over mountainous terrain when he noticed a gradual reduction in engine rpm. He switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel boost pump, and advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond. The rpm continued to decrease, the airplane was no longer able to maintain altitude, and the pilot performed a forced landing next to a highway. During the landing flare, he pitched up to avoid an oncoming vehicle and the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. A postimpact fire ensued.

Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane at a low altitude over the trees and the wings wobbled up and down before it impacted the ground.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe manufacturers operating manual states that the airplane’s service ceiling is 20,300 ft msl.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATIONThe density altitude near the accident site was calculated to be about 12,500 ft msl.
AIRPORT INFORMATIONThe manufacturers operating manual states that the airplane’s service ceiling is 20,300 ft msl.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe wreckage path and ground scars revealed that the airplane landed hard, bounced, and came to rest upright next to the highway. The postimpact fire consumed the cockpit, fuselage, and inboard sections of both wings. Figure 1 shows the airplane wreckage where it came to rest and was mostly consumed by fire.

Figure 1. Main wreckage next to the highway (Photo courtesy of the Delta County Sheriff's Office)
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that all flight control connections remained attached to their respective controls. The control cables were continuous through multiple tension overload separations and postaccident recovery cuts. The engine and fuel system sustained significant fire damage; therefore, a complete examination was not possible. There were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies identified with the available wreckage that would have precluded normal operation.
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.