Cessna 210E accident near Bronson, Michigan, March 24, 2005
On March 24, 2005 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Cessna 210E, registered N2380F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bronson, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation which failed to detect contaminated fuel that led to a loss of engine power. The unsuitable terrain encountered was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 24, 2005 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bronson, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210E · all 210Es on the register
- Registration
- N2380F · no longer on the register · serial 21058580
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot stated, "Additional fuel was added, all sumps drained with no water found. Owner/operator felt aircraft was safe for ferry flight to Three Rivers Airport (HAI). During take-off stage all gauges and instruments were operating in normal parameters. Approximately 4 [minutes] into flight aircraft began popping and back-firing along with power loss, electric fuel pump was turned on without any aid to engine performance. Operator initiated 180[degree] turn for return to airport of departure with airplane descending, operator only option was to land in corn field with soft dirt. Landing touch down speed was approximately 70 mph and at approximately a speed of 20 mph front wheel sank into dirt causing front wheel to break off, then front of engine cowling was riding on the dirt digging in, causing airplane to flip over." Subsequent to the accident, the pilot reported that water was found in the fuel sumps. Airplane logbooks show the last recorded annual inspection was completed on August 23, 2000. An examination of the wreckage detected no engine or airframe pre-impact anomalies. Federal Aviation Regulation 21.197 Special flight permits, in-part stated, "(a) A special flight permit may be issued for an aircraft that may not currently meet applicable airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight, for the following purposes: (1) Flying the aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations, or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage." There was no ferry flight permit on file with the Federal Aviation Administration for this flight.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,740 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 6,740 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 22, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,505.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 23, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OEB Coldwater MI at 7:55 pm
- Destination: HAI Three Rivers MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from IRS, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.