Cessna T210G accident near Lyons, Colorado, June 3, 2001
On June 3, 2001 at about 3:55 pm local time, a Cessna T210G, registered N6886R, was destroyed in an accident near Lyons, Colorado (Longmont airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his continued flight into adverse weather condition resulting in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the fog, low ceilings and the pilot's lack of recent experience.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2001 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Lyons, Colorado · Longmont · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210G · all T210Gs on the register
- Registration
- N6886R · no longer on the register · serial T210-0286
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after departure on a cross-country flight, the airplane collided with trees on the peak of a mountain and was destroyed when it descended uncontrollably into a ravine. The commercial and instrument rated pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured. The pilot contacted the Denver Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS), in Englewood, Colorado, and requested an en route weather briefing, VFR if possible. The air traffic control Specialist who took his call provided the weather information pertaining to the local conditions and the forecast conditions for his intended route. She advised him that along his entire route there were Airmets for turbulence and IFR conditions and a cold front, which included thunderstorm activity. She provided him a VNR statement (indicating that VFR flight was not recommended). According to witnesses at the departure airport, the weather was cool and humid with light winds, a visibility of 3 to 4 miles and a ceiling of 300 to 700 feet. They observed the aircraft as it made a "very flat, but fast," departure from runway 29. At about 500 feet above ground level, the airplane entered the clouds and shortly thereafter, it descended and re-emerged from the cloud base and proceeded out of visual range to the northwest. Witnesses at the accident site stated that the visibility was approximately 100 feet and the ceiling was approximately 100 feet at the time of the accident. A witness who observed the impact, stated that he heard the airplane's engine "rev up to full throttle," while it was still in the clouds and it emerged from the clouds in a very steep descent. The airplane hit the ground first with its left wing and then bounced and rolled into the gulch. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.
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: 2,680 hours in all; 2,516 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 2,530 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 24, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,340 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 16, 2001; 8.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2V2 Longmont CO at 3:45 pm
- Destination: LXN Lexington NE
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 100 ft; clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 3:45 pm from BJC, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.