Cessna T210N accident near Vichy, Missouri, April 12, 1997
On April 12, 1997 at about 1:05 am local time, a Cessna T210N, registered N5310A, was destroyed in an accident near Vichy, Missouri (Rolla National airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the pilot to properly follow the missed approach procedure and maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA) during night/IFR flight. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and failure of the pilot to properly configure the airplane for the go-around (improper use of full flaps and gear retraction not performed).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 1997 · about 1:05 am local time · cases in 1997
- Place
- Vichy, Missouri · Rolla National · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5310A · registry record · serial 21063362
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft had been topped off with fuel and had departed Butler, PA, about 1652 EDT. The pilot was informed that the destination weather was 1/4 mile visibility in fog, 200 foot overcast, and wind from 350 degrees at 6 mph. The airport elevation was 1,148 feet. The approach minimums for the VOR Rwy 22 approach were 1,500 foot minimum descent altitude (MDA) with 400 foot ceiling and 3/4 mile prevailing visibility. The pilot continued to fly the approach and descended below minimums. The passenger, who survived the accident, reported that the airport was covered with fog. He saw the altimeter read 1,300 feet msl and said the pilot applied power and turned to the north. The missed approach procedure was to climb to 2,700 msl, then turn right direct to VIH VOR/DME and hold. The airplane impacted trees and crashed about 1/2 mile northwest of the airport. Elevation of the crash site was about 1,125 feet. Inspection of the wreckage indicated that full flaps had been selected, and the landing gear was extended. Go-around flaps were 20 degrees. The three propeller blades had chordwise gouges and scratches, and the tips had forward twist. No engine or airframe anomalies were found.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,330 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 1,330 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,930 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 3, 1996; 97 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO 520-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BTP Butler PA at 8:52 pm
- Destination: VIH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 0.8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 100 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N5310A on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Cessna T210 Turbo Centurion 1,280 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,677 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental TSIO 520-R 22 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Rolla Ntl Airport · nearest airport
- Pittsburgh/Butler Regional · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Missouri 1,640 since 1982 · 219 in the last ten years
- Missouri 5,821 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CHI97FA102.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.