Cessna T210 accident near Cedaredge, Colorado, November 20, 2013
On November 20, 2013 at about 1:10 am local time, a 1978 Cessna T210, registered N6832B, was destroyed in an accident during enroute near Cedaredge, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's spatial disorientation while operating in dark night conditions in snow showers and his subsequent failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in overstress of the airplane and an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's diverted attention while coordinating for an instrument flight rules clearance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 20, 2013 · about 1:10 am local time
- Place
- Cedaredge, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210 M, built 1978 · all T210s on the register
- Registration
- N6832B · no longer on the register · serial 21062843
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The instrument-rated pilot was flying the airplane inbound to Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE) on a night visual flight rules flight. While level at 13,500 feet msl, the pilot requested an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, most likely due to worsening weather conditions associated with snow showers. The controller issued an IFR clearance and requested that the pilot transmit the necessary flight plan information. While the pilot transmitted this information, the airplane began a climbing left turn. After noticing the airplane turn about 180 degrees, the controller queried the pilot, who had not recognized the turn and stated that his autopilot had disconnected. The controller subsequently issued the pilot a heading back toward ASE, which the pilot accepted. However, the airplane continued to turn left and then began a rapid descent to impact. Portions of the left wing, left flap and aileron, and left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were found separated from the main wreckage area. It is likely that the airplane entered instrument conditions, and the pilot became spatially disoriented as he was coordinating the instrument clearance and was unaware of the airplane's left turn and climb after the autopilot disconnected. Further, during the final rapid descent, the design stress limits of the airplane were exceeded and an in-flight breakup occurred.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during enroute defining event
- Aircraft structural failure during enroute
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Spar (on wing) › Capability exceeded
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Effect on personnel
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Snow › Effect on personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring equip/instruments › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,560 hours in all; 950 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,549 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 15, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,803 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 3,549 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Montana National INC
The flight
- Departed from: KTOA Torrance CA at 9:48 pm
- Destination: KASE Aspen CO
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point -6°F (-21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 am from KAJZ, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.