Cessna P210N accident near Marathon, Florida, April 1, 1996
On April 1, 1996 at about 7:58 am local time, a Cessna P210N, registered N6427W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marathon, Florida (Marathon airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude during an over-water approach at night. Factors relating to the accident were darkness and pilot fatigue.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 1, 1996 · about 7:58 am local time
- Place
- Marathon, Florida · Marathon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N6427W · no longer on the register · serial P21000776
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an over-water arrival at night, the pilot reported that the destination airport was in sight, and he canceled his VFR advisories. The controller acknowledged, advised the pilot to squawk 1200, and told him that a frequency change was approved. The pilot acknowledged at 0257:10, then there was no further radio communication with the pilot. At 0257:08, the encoded altimeter showed the airplane was at 1,200 feet, and radar data showed the airplane was descending with a ground speed of 183 to 189 knots. The final radar targets showed the airplane had descended to 200 feet, the heading was about 213 degrees, and the ground speed had increased to nearly 200 knots. Subsequently, the airplane descended into the water about 7 nautical miles north-northeast of the airport. The wreckage was recovered, and examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The landing gear and flaps were found retracted. The engine was recovered, and after replacement of components that were not recovered, the engine was started and operated normally. The propeller was recovered almost 1 year and 4 months after the accident; examination of it revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The airplane owner said that at about 1900 hours, before departing on the 1st leg of the flight, the pilot advised that he was tired due to his work/flying schedule. The owner stated that he was not aware that the pilot was going to fly the airplane after that conversation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,720 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 119 in the last 90 days; 44 in the last 30 days; 1,481 as pilot in command; 134 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,865 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 13, 1995; 68 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-AF (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PBI West Palm Beach FL at 7:00 am
- Destination: MTH FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:57 am from EYW, 44 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.